Giving Up Driving Equals Increased Health Risks For Seniors

It's always hard to tell a loved one that they shouldn't drive anymore because of their advanced age, but it's even harder after hearing this. A new study by the AAA automobile club Foundation for Traffic Safety and Columbia University says older adults who stop driving are almost twice as likely to suffer from depression and nearly five times as likely to enter a long-term care facility than those who remain behind the wheel.

The Driving Cessation and Health Outcomes for Older Adults study looked at senior adults who have permanently given up driving and the impact to their health and mental well-being. The number of drivers aged 65 and older continues to increase in the United States with nearly 81 percent of the 39.5 million seniors in this age group still behind the wheel.

Some key findings from the study include:

• Former drivers had markedly low participation in outside activities and diminished productivity in daily life activities compared to current drivers.
• The association between driving cessation and reduced physical functioning was strong in longitudinal studies even after adjusting for socio-demographic factors and baseline health.
• Overall, driving cessation almost doubled the risk of increased depressive symptoms in older adults. 
• Driving cessation was associated with a 51% reduction in the size of social networks of friends and relatives.
• In general, former drivers had accelerated cognitive decline over a ten year period compared with active drivers even after controlling for baseline cognitive function and general health.
• Former drivers were nearly five times as likely as current drivers to be admitted to long term care facilities.
• Driving cessation was a strong predictor of three year mortality risk, as non-drivers were four to six times as likely to die as drivers.

For the implications of this study, and to view the study report itself, click the link above.

Making Transportation More Accessible to Those With Special Needs

Most of us don't usually put much thought into how we're going to get where we're going each day. It's not so easy though for those who are elderly, disabled, too young to drive or just choose not to drive. There are many challenges they face, including:

• Lack of public transit services in rural areas
• Lack of transportation services to medical services
• Broken or missing sections of sidewalk
• Snowy and Icy sidewalks
• Lack of transportation options outside of Spokane Transit's service area
• Limited service hours for Spokane Transit buses
• Many others

Every couple years SRTC updates the Spokane County Coordinated Public Transit – Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP), a plan to improve transportation services for people with disabilities, youth, older adults, and individuals with lower incomes. The plan provides guidance to aid communities, agencies and service providers in coordinating transportation resources provided through federal and state programs.

The HSTP includes an inventory of services that provide transportation, common origins and destinations for persons with special transportation needs, an assessment of transportation issues and “gaps” in the system, and implementation strategies for addressing those gaps.

Now what's needed is input on the HSTP. Did we accurately assess all the issues and challenges "vulnerable" folks are coming up against in regards to transportation? Are the strategies to address these issues realistic and appropriate to the situation? Are there possible solutions we overlooked?

We would appreciate it if you could attend a public open house and let us know on Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 4-6 p.m. You can stop by anytime between those hours and stay as long or as short as you'd like. The open house will be in the SRTC office at 221 W. 1st Ave. Suite 310.

If you'd like to check out the Spokane County Coordinated Public Transit- Human Services Transportation Plan 2014 Update in advance, use this link.

Best Cars For Seniors

Last week I blogged about the best cars for teenagers, so this week I've got the best cars for seniors. I've never thought about it, but apparently a car that adapts to a lack of flexibility or muscle strength and is comfortable at the same time could be a challenge to find.


AAA says seniors should look for the following features depending on their medical conditions:

• Drivers suffering from hip or leg pain, decreased leg strength or limited knee range of motion should look for vehicles with six-way adjustable power seats and seat heights that come between the driver’s mid-thigh and lower buttocks. These features make it easier for drivers to enter and exit a vehicle.

• Drivers with arthritic hands, stiff fingers or diminished motor skills benefit from four-door models, thick steering wheels, keyless entry and ignition, power mirrors and seats and large dashboard controls with buttons. These features reduce the amount of grip strength needed and reduce pain associated with turning or twisting motions.

• Drivers with diminished vision or problems with high-low contrast will find vehicles with auto-dimming mirrors, large audio and climate controls and displays with contrasting text helpful. These features can reduce blinding glare and make controls and displays easier to see.

So which cars fit the bill best? AAA looked at a LOT of vehicles and ranked them.

Seniors Great Behind The Wheel But Don't Fare So Well In Crashes

Senior citizens may be the safest drivers on the road- but they're also the most likely to die in a crash, according to new data from AAA. Why is that? WTVN Radio has the story. Plus, vehicles with senior-friendly features. Find out what kind of car grandma should be driving to help lessen her arthritis pain.

You May Not Have To Worry About Grandma Living In Montana After All

Um, you may be able to disregard that story below, because your mom or dad may be living right in your backyard in the future, thanks to a new housing option knicknamed "granny pods."

The shed-size dwellings offer an attractive balance between independence and special care for some of the 72 million Americans who will be 65 or older in less than twenty years. And they can be placed right next to your home, making it easier for you to provide care and transportation for your loved ones. Here's more about granny pods.

Where Will Senior Citizens Live In The Future? Not Near Good Public Transit Apparently

There has been lots of talk recently in transportation circles about the need for additional public transit options, with the baby boomer generation reaching the age where many are no longer driving.

Studies show nearly 80 percent of our seniors live in car-dependent suburban and rural communities and that seniors who stop driving show more symptoms of depression and are less active outside the home.
Projections say our 65-and-older population will more than double from 2000 levels to 72 million by the year 2030. The Natural Resources Defense Council used data from Duke University to project where these seniors will be living by then, and the results show some surprises. And some challenges for getting them where they need to go for basic services. Here's where seniors are expected to be living by 2030.

Looking For Input On Our Human Services Plan

Get out your red pen because we're looking for public input on the 2012 Update to the Spokane County Coordinated Public Transit - Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP).

Federal law requires a coordinated public transit human services transportation plan for all human service transportation programs. The purpose of the HSTP is to improve transportation services for persons with disabilities, older adults and individuals with lower incomes in Spokane County. The HSTP includes an inventory of local services that provide transportation in Spokane County, an assessment of transportation issues and “gaps” in the system and implementation strategies for addressing those gaps.

We're looking to you to let us know if we've identified all the barriers out there, presented a complete inventory of local transportation services and come up with all feasible solutions. So please review the document here and let us know what you think by emailing contact.srtc@srtc.org.

The deadline to comment is 4p.m. on November 23, 2012.

Are You Too Drugged To Drive?

The title of this article, Are You Too Drugged To Drive?, grabbed my attention this morning. I don't think so. Am I? I would know if I was, right? Not necessarily, I found out.

Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65. 80% of drivers 65 and older regularly take medication— two-thirds take five or more daily! Yet only half have talked with a medical professional about the possible safety issues related to driving.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is studying the risks of drug interaction and side effects affecting driving ability and say it's a growing problem not only for older drivers but for anyone who takes medication and needs to drive.