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Derafshi R, Babulal GM, Bayat S. Impact of cognitive impairment on driving behaviour and route choices of older drivers: a real-world driving study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14174. [PMID: 38898026 PMCID: PMC11187060 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63663-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Maintaining driving independence is important for older adults. However, cognitive decline, a common issue in older populations, can impair older adults' driving abilities and overall safety on the roads. This study explores how cognitive impairment influences driving patterns and driving choices among older adults. We analyzed real-world driving patterns of 246 older adults using GPS dataloggers. Our sample included 230 cognitively normal older adults (CN; Clinical Dementia RatingR [CDR] = 0) and 16 older adults with incident cognitive impairment (ICI; CDR = 0.5). The CN group had an average age of 68.2 years, with 46% females and an average of 16.5 years of education, while the ICI group's average age was 69.2 years, with 36% females and an average of 16.0 years of education. We employed spatial clustering and hashing algorithms to evaluate driving behaviours. Significant differences emerged: The ICI group used fewer distinct routes to their most common destination. These differences can be leveraged to develop driving as a digital biomarker for the early detection and continuous monitoring of cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reihaneh Derafshi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Ganesh M Babulal
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C., USA
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Institute of Public Health, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Sayeh Bayat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
- Department of Geomatics Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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Pope CN, Stavrinos D, Fazeli PL, Vance DE. Transportation Barriers and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Middle-Aged and Older Adults Living with HIV in the Deep South. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2148-2158. [PMID: 35066731 PMCID: PMC8783768 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03560-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Access to reliable transportation is a social determinant of health imperative for disease management for those aging with HIV/AIDS. To what degree transportation barriers are associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in middle-aged and older people living with HIV (PWH) in the Deep South region of the United States is presently unknown. PWH (n = 261, age range = 39 to 73 years old, 80.1% African American, 64.4% male) were recruited from an academic medical center in the Deep South. Variables included sociodemographics, HIV characteristics, depressive symptoms, HRQOL, and perceived transportation barriers. Spearman rho correlations and linear regressions accounting for covariates were conducted. After accounting for covariates, greater perceived transportation barriers were associated with worse health perceptions, pain, social functioning, health distress, and health transitions. Access to reliable transportation is a key factor in improving health for PWH. Considerations for healthcare and traffic safety are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin N Pope
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
- Graduate Center for Gerontology, 725 Rose St. Suite 401 Multidisciplinary Sciences Building, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
| | - Despina Stavrinos
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Pariya L Fazeli
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David E Vance
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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3
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Koumoutzis A, Vivoda JM, Cao J. With a Little Help From My Friends and Family: Transportation and Caregiving Hours. J Appl Gerontol 2022; 41:1914-1923. [PMID: 35612323 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221089624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To better understand the associations between the driving status of the care recipient and caregiver with provided caregiving hours, more research on the relationships between contextual caregiving factors and driving-related behaviors is needed. METHOD Using data from Round 7 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the linked National Survey of Caregiving (NSOC; n = 1054 dyads), this study explored how caregiver transportation assistance and care recipient driving frequency are associated with caregiving hours. RESULTS Caregiving hours were highest among caregivers who provided transportation every day and among care recipients who had not driven in the last month. After controlling for covariates, negative binomial regression results indicated that greater caregiver transportation assistance was related to more caregiving hours, while greater care recipient driving frequency was related to less caregiving hours. CONCLUSION Integrated supports and greater accessibility to transportation services may decrease time spent caregiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena Koumoutzis
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Jonathon M Vivoda
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Jiawei Cao
- School of Aging Services and Management, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Tierney SM, Kordovski VM, Rahman S, Medina LD, Damian RI, Collins RL, Woods SP. Neuropsychological aspects of internet-based transit navigation skills in older adults. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2022; 29:87-103. [PMID: 33225801 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2020.1852164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Older adults commonly experience difficulties efficiently searching the Internet, which can adversely affect daily functioning. This study specifically examined the neuropsychological aspects of online transit planning in 50 younger (M = 22 years) and 40 older (M = 64 years) community-dwelling adults. All participants completed a neuropsychological battery, questionnaires, and measures of Internet use and skills. Participants used a live transit planning website to complete three inter-related tasks (e.g., map a route from an airport to a specific hotel at a particular time). On a fourth Internet transit task, participants were randomized into either a support condition in which they received brief goal management training or into a control condition. Results showed that older adults were both slower and less accurate than their younger counterparts in completing the first three Internet transit tasks. Within the older adults, Internet transit accuracy showed a medium association with verbal memory, executive functions, and auditory attention, but not visuomotor speed, which was the only domain associated with Internet transit task speed in both groups. The goal management training was beneficial for plan development in younger, but not older adults. The planning supports did not impact actual Internet transit task performance in either group. Findings indicate that older adults experience difficulties quickly and accurately using a transit website to plan transportation routes, which is associated with poorer higher-order neurocognitive functions (e.g., memory). Future work might examine the benefits of established memory strategies (e.g., spaced retrieval practice) for online transit planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savanna M Tierney
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston Houston, TX, USA
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Samina Rahman
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luis D Medina
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rodica I Damian
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert L Collins
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston Houston, TX, USA
- Medical Neuropsychology of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Koppel S, Peiris S, Aburumman M, Wong CWR, Owens JM, Womack KN. What Are the Restraint Practices, Preferences, and Experiences When Australian Parents Travel with Their Children in a Rideshare Vehicle? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18178928. [PMID: 34501521 PMCID: PMC8431136 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18178928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the preferences, experiences and restraint practices of Australian parents travelling with their children in rideshare vehicles. Six hundred and thirty-one participants completed an online survey (M = 39.2 years, SD = 10.5, Range = 18.0–70.0 years; Female: 63.4%). Most participants (59.1%) reported that they had not travelled in a rideshare vehicle with their youngest child (M = 7.2 years, SD = 5.2, Range = 0.0–17.0 years; Male: 54.2%). Participants who reported that they have travelled with their youngest child in a rideshare vehicle tended to: be younger, identify as male, have completed an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree, reside in the Australian Capital Territory, earning a higher yearly household income, and were involved in an at-fault crash in the past two years. In addition, these participants were: less likely to have a ‘younger’ youngest child, less likely to ‘always’ wear a seatbelt while travelling in their private motor vehicle, and also less likely to ‘always’ restrain their child in an appropriate restraint while travelling in their private motor vehicle. Prohibitive reasons for not travelling in a rideshare vehicle included: cost (29.3%), concerns over driver safety (27.5%), concerns over travelling with children in a rideshare service (24.8%), or inconvenience (24.3%). Participants who reported that they had travelled in a rideshare vehicle with their youngest child reported lower rates of appropriate restraint use within the rideshare vehicle (57.3%) than when travelling in their private motor vehicle (85.6%). Reasons associated with inappropriate restraint use within the rideshare vehicle included: unavailability of a child restraint (39.6%), travelling a short distance (33.0%), were not required to use one in this situation (33.0%), or the parent did not have a restraint with them (26.4%). Given the increasing popularity of rideshare services in Australia, and globally, the urgent adaption of rideshare-specific policy, legislation, education, and design in relation to child restraint requirements is needed to ensure the safety of child occupants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjaan Koppel
- Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia; (S.P.); (M.A.); (C.W.R.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-3-9905-4739
| | - Sujanie Peiris
- Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia; (S.P.); (M.A.); (C.W.R.W.)
| | - Mohammed Aburumman
- Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia; (S.P.); (M.A.); (C.W.R.W.)
| | - Chernyse W. R. Wong
- Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia; (S.P.); (M.A.); (C.W.R.W.)
| | - Justin M. Owens
- Division of Vehicle, Driver and Safety Systems, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA;
| | - Katie N. Womack
- Center for Transportation Safety, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
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Bayne A, Siegfried A, Beck LF, Freund K. Barriers and facilitators of older adults' use of ride share services. JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT & HEALTH 2021; 21:101055. [PMID: 35572055 PMCID: PMC9104440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2021.101055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Safe, affordable, and convenient transportation may help older adults (age 65 and older) stay independent, access healthcare services, and maintain their quality of life. While older adults in the United States primarily rely on private automobiles, those who reduce or cease driving may require alternative forms of transportation. Ride share services show promise as an alternative mode of transportation for older adults, particularly for those who no longer drive. Methods We employed a qualitative research design to explore barriers and facilitators of older adults' use of ride share services and compare findings to younger adults (age 18 to 64). We conducted 96 telephone interviews (68 older adults and 28 younger adults), and 10 in-person focus groups (56 older adults and 17 younger adults), including individuals who used a ride share service and those who never used a ride share service. We conducted qualitative data analysis to identify key themes and developed a conceptual framework to organize and describe findings. Results The qualitative analysis revealed the most important facilitator of older adults' use of ride share services was the desire to remain independent, particularly among those with health conditions and special needs that prevented them from using other transportation. Other facilitators included driver assistance (door-to-door service), a polite and courteous driver, a clean vehicle, and prompt and dependable service. Barriers among older adults included safety concerns, affordability, technology, and a lack of ride share services in the community. Among younger adults, technology was a facilitator of use. Conclusion Ride share services are a promising transportation option. Findings highlight a need to tailor these services to older adults' needs. Ride share services that are safe, reliable, and offer driver assistance and telephone scheduling have the potential to support older adults' health, mobility, and independence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alycia Bayne
- NORC at the University of Chicago, 4350 East-West Hwy, Suite 800, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Alexa Siegfried
- NORC at the University of Chicago, 4350 East-West Hwy, Suite 800, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Laurie F. Beck
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS S106-9, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
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Zanwar P, Kim J, Kim J, Manser M, Ham Y, Chaspari T, Ahn CR. Use of Connected Technologies to Assess Barriers and Stressors for Age and Disability-Friendly Communities. Front Public Health 2021; 9:578832. [PMID: 33777874 PMCID: PMC7991298 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.578832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The benefits of engaging in outdoor physical activity are numerous for older adults. However, previous work on outdoor monitoring of physical activities did not sufficiently identify how older adults characterize and respond to diverse elements of urban built environments, including structural characteristics, safety attributes, and aesthetics. Objective: To synthesize emerging multidisciplinary trends on the use of connected technologies to assess environmental barriers and stressors among older adults and for persons with disability. Methods: A multidisciplinary overview and literature synthesis. Results: First, we review measurement and monitoring of outdoor physical activity in community environments and during transport using wearable sensing technologies, their contextualization and using smartphone-based applications. We describe physiological responses (e.g., gait patterns, electrodermal activity, brain activity, and heart rate), stressors and physical barriers during outdoor physical activity. Second, we review the use of visual data (e.g., Google street images, Street score) and machine learning algorithms to assess physical (e.g., walkability) and emotional stressors (e.g., stress) in community environments and their impact on human perception. Third, we synthesize the challenges and limitations of using real-time smartphone-based data on driving behavior, incompatibility with software data platforms, and the potential for such data to be confounded by environmental signals in older adults. Lastly, we summarize alternative modes of transport for older adults and for persons with disability. Conclusion: Environmental design for connected technologies, interventions to promote independence and mobility, and to reduce barriers and stressors, likely requires smart connected age and disability-friendly communities and cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Zanwar
- Center for Population Health and Aging, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.,Center for Health Systems and Design, Colleges of Architecture and Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.,Network on Life Course and Health Dynamics and Disparities, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jinwoo Kim
- Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Jaeyoon Kim
- Department of Construction Science, College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Michael Manser
- Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Youngjib Ham
- Department of Construction Science, College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Theodora Chaspari
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Changbum Ryan Ahn
- Center for Population Health and Aging, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.,Department of Construction Science, College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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Wu R, Zhao J, Cheung C, Natsuaki M, Rebok G, Strickland-Hughes C. Learning as an Important Privilege: A Life Span Perspective with Implications for Successful Aging. Hum Dev 2021. [DOI: 10.1159/000514554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Research has demonstrated the cognitive and mental health benefits of learning new skills and content across the life span, enhancing knowledge as well as cognitive performance. We argue that the importance of this learning – which is not available equally to all – goes beyond the cognitive and mental health benefits. Learning is important for not only the maintenance, but also enhancement of functional independence in a dynamic environment, such as changes induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and technological advances. Learning difficult skills and content is a privilege because the opportunities for learning are neither guaranteed nor universal, and it requires personal and social engagement, time, motivation, and societal support. This paper highlights the importance of considering learning new skills and content as an <i>important privilege</i> across the life span and argues that this privilege becomes increasingly exclusionary as individuals age, when social and infrastructural support for learning decreases. We highlight research on the potential positive and negative impacts of retirement, when accessibility to learning opportunities may vary, and research on learning barriers due to low expectations and limited resources from poverty. We conclude that addressing barriers to lifelong learning would advance theories on life span cognitive development and raise the bar for successful aging. In doing so, our society might imagine and achieve previously unrealized gains in life span cognitive development, through late adulthood.
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Vivoda JM, Cao J, Koumoutzis A, Harmon AC, Babulal GM. Planning for Driving Retirement: The Effect of Driving Perceptions, Driving Events, and Assessment of Driving Alternatives. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH. PART F, TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR 2021; 76:193-201. [PMID: 33716551 PMCID: PMC7945980 DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Most older adults will eventually stop driving, but few engage in planning for driving retirement. This study assessed whether driving stress, enjoyment, confidence, concerning driving events, and assessment of driving alternatives influence planning. Demographic factors were also included. Data were collected via a mailed transportation survey, with a final sample of 551 older adults who currently drive. Linear regression analyses revealed that more driving retirement planning was associated with greater driving stress, less driving confidence, and a more positive view of driving alternatives. Driving enjoyment and recent concerning driving events were not significantly related. Among the control variables, race and income were significantly related to planning, suggesting that lower income and identifying as Black race were associated with more planning. Gender only approached significance, suggesting that females may plan more than males. Overall, these findings suggest that more driving retirement planning is warranted. Some of the groups known to be at increased risk for driving reduction and cessation plan more for that eventuality than their counterparts. Implications of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon M. Vivoda
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, 100 Bishop Circle, 375 Upham Hall, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Jiawei Cao
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, 100 Bishop Circle, 375 Upham Hall, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Athena Koumoutzis
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, 100 Bishop Circle, 375 Upham Hall, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
| | - Annie C. Harmon
- Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ganesh M. Babulal
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Factors Associated with Travel Behavior of Millennials and Older Adults: A Scoping Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12198236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to synthesize knowledge on the travel behavior of millennials and older adults based on literature from 2010 to 2018. The study looks into the different factors that contributed to shaping each generation’s travel behavior. Both qualitative and quantitative studies that fall within the selection criteria are reviewed, with a total of seventy-eight studies selected for review. Thirty-four papers focused on young adults/millennials, 35 included an older adult population, and 9 investigated both younger and older age groups. Six of the studies utilized qualitative methods, 68 applied quantitative methods, and 4 used mixed methods to explore the factors associated with travel behavior. Travel behaviors are explored in terms of mode choice, trip distance, trip frequency, use of alternative transport, ridesharing, and mobility tool ownership. Associated factors are categorized into five themes: personal attributes, geography and built environment, living arrangements and family life, technology adoption, and perceptions and attitudes towards travel options and environment. This study concludes that difference exists between generations in terms of travel behavior, and that the factors that influence each generation’s travel characteristics are either different or differ in their nature of influence (increase/decrease). Finally, based on the reviewed literature, this study proposes future research directions.
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Ryvicker M, Bollens-Lund E, Ornstein KA. Driving Status and Transportation Disadvantage Among Medicare Beneficiaries. J Appl Gerontol 2020; 39:935-943. [PMID: 30362863 PMCID: PMC6486463 DOI: 10.1177/0733464818806834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transportation disadvantage may have important implications for the health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults. This study used the 2015 National Health Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and over (N = 7,498), to generate national estimates of transportation modalities and transportation disadvantage among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. An estimated 10.8 million community-dwelling older adults in the United States rarely or never drive. Among nondrivers, 25% were classified as transportation disadvantaged, representing 2.3 million individuals. Individuals with more chronic medical conditions and those reliant on assistive devices were more likely to report having a transportation disadvantage (p < .05). Being married resulted in a 50% decreased odds of having a transportation disadvantage (p < .01). Some individuals may be at higher risk for transportation-related barriers to engaging in valued activities and accessing care, calling for tailored interventions such as ride-share services combined with care coordination strategies.
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12
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Dabelko-Schoeny H, Fields NL, White K, Sheldon M, Ravi K, Robinson SR, Murphy IE, Jennings C. Using Community-Based Participatory Research Strategies in Age-Friendly Communities to Solve Mobility Challenges. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2020; 63:447-463. [PMID: 32458771 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2020.1769787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The number of older adults is steadily increasing in the United States and across the globe. Aging is linked to an increased risk of disability. Disabilities that limit one or more major life activities such as seeing, hearing, walking, and motor skills impact a person's ability to drive a car. Low utilization of alternative transportation by older adults and people with disabilities may put them at risk for social isolation. Social isolation is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. While communities are challenged to create available, acceptable, accessible, adaptable and affordable mobility options, there are widely held, inaccurate biases around older adults' abilities to contribute to the development and improvement of alternative transportation options. Gerontological social workers are well-positioned to address this bias. This paper presents a case study of a large metropolitan county in the Midwest where community-based participatory research (CBPR) strategies were used to engage older residents to support the development of alternative transportation options supporting the tenets of environmental justice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Noelle L Fields
- School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Katie White
- Age-Friendly Communities, Columbus and Franklin County, College of Social Work, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Marisa Sheldon
- Age-Friendly Communities, Columbus and Franklin County, College of Social Work, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kristen Ravi
- College of Social Work, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville , Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah R Robinson
- School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Ian E Murphy
- College of Social Work, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Claire Jennings
- Age-Friendly Communities, Columbus and Franklin County, College of Social Work, The Ohio State University , Columbus, Ohio, USA
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13
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Blome A, Rosenbaum J, Lucas N, Schreyer K. Ridesharing as an Alternative to Ambulance Transport for Voluntary Psychiatric Patients in the Emergency Department. West J Emerg Med 2020; 21:618-621. [PMID: 32421509 PMCID: PMC7234724 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2020.2.45526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Emergency department (ED) crowding is a growing problem. Psychiatric patients have long ED lengths of stay awaiting placement and transportation to a psychiatric facility after disposition. Methods Retrospective analysis of length of ED stay after disposition for voluntary psychiatric patients before and after the use of Lyft ridesharing services for inter-facility transport. Results Using Lyft transport to an outside crisis center shortens time to discharge both statistically and clinically from 113 minutes to 91 minutes (p = 0.028) for voluntary psychiatric patients. Discharge time also decreased for involuntary patients from 146 minutes to 127 minutes (p = 0.0053). Conclusion Ridesharing services may be a useful alternative to medical transportation for voluntary psychiatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Blome
- Temple University Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jennifer Rosenbaum
- Temple University Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole Lucas
- Temple University Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kraftin Schreyer
- Temple University Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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14
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Comorbid Conditions and Driving Status Among Older Low-Income African Americans. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019; 6:1228-1232. [DOI: 10.1007/s40615-019-00624-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Tomar A, Ganesh SS, Richards JR. Transportation Preferences of Patients Discharged from the Emergency Department in the Era of Ridesharing Apps. West J Emerg Med 2019; 20:672-680. [PMID: 31316709 PMCID: PMC6625690 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2019.5.42762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) may encounter difficulty finding transportation home, increasing length of stay and ED crowding. We sought to determine the preferences of patients discharged from the ED with regard to their transportation home, and their awareness and past use of ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber. Methods We performed a prospective, survey-based study during a five-month period at a university-associated ED and Level I trauma center serving an urban area. Subjects were adult patients who were about to be discharged from the ED. We excluded patients requiring ambulance transport home. Results Of 500 surveys distributed, 480 (96%) were completed. Average age was 47 ± 19 years, and 61% were female. There were 33,871 ED visits during the study period, and 67% were discharged home. The highest number of subjects arrived by ambulance (27%) followed by being dropped off (25%). Of the 408 (85%) subjects aware of ridesharing services, only eight (2%) came to the ED by this manner; however, 22 (5%) planned to use these services post-discharge. The survey also indicated that 377 (79%) owned smartphones, and 220 (46%) used ridesharing services. The most common plan to get home was with family/friend (35%), which was also the most preferred (29%). Regarding awareness and past use of ridesharing services, we were unable to detect any gender and/or racial differences from univariate analysis. However, we did detect age, education and income differences regarding awareness, but only age and education differences for past use. Logistic regression showed awareness and past use decreased with increasing patient age, but correlated positively with increasing education and income. Half the subjects felt their medical insurance should pay for their transportation, whereas roughly one-third felt ED staff should pay for it. Conclusion Patients most commonly prefer to be driven home by a family member or friend after discharge from the ED. There is awareness of ridesharing services, but only 5% of patients planned to use these services post-discharge from the ED. Patients who are older, have limited income, and are less educated are less likely to be aware of or have previously used ridesharing services. ED staff may assist these patients by hailing ridesharing services for them at time of discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar Tomar
- University of California, Davis Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Siddhi S Ganesh
- University of California, Davis Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - John R Richards
- University of California, Davis Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sacramento, California
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