A team of researchers from Columbia University's Mailman School of
Public Health looked at 16 previous studies which had reviewed the
health of drivers aged 55 and over, and compared it to data from current
drivers.
The findings showed that after seniors stopped driving
the risk of developing depressive symptoms nearly doubled, and those who
had given up driving were nearly five times as likely as to be admitted
to a form of care home, such as a nursing home, assisted living
community, or retirement home.
And although many seniors gave up
driving due to a decrease in cognitive function and physical function,
the studies showed that these abilities only worsened further after they
quit.
Giving up driving also resulted in a 51% reduction in the
size of senior's social circles, with women showing a greater decline in
social health than men. This in turn could also contribute to the
decline in health seen in other areas, "As older ex-drivers begin
substituting outside activities with indoor activities around the home,
these activities may not be as beneficial to physical functioning as
working or volunteering on the outside," said co-author Thelma Mielenz,
"When time comes to stop driving, it is important to make personalized
plans to maintain mobility and social functions."
However the team
pointed out that alternative transport arrangements are not necessarily
enough to maintain good health, "What we need most of all are effective
programs that can ensure and prolong an older adult's mobility,
physical, and social functioning," advised senior author Guohua Li.
The findings were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
According
to the American Automobile Association (AAA), seniors make up some of
the safest drivers on the road, greatly reducing their risk of injury
when behind the wheel thanks to wearing their seatbelt, obeying the
speed limit, and not drinking and driving. And by 2030 of the 70
million+ people age 65 and older, around 85-90% of them will hold a
driver's license.
However increasing frailty does mean that they
are more likely to suffer from injuries or even death when in a crash.
Taking into account these risks the AAA launched its Lifelong Safe Mobility initiative
in 2003 to help seniors to take control of the wheel for as long as
possible and as safely possible, and continue to stay mobile even when
they have ceased to drive
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