The influence of Driving Status on Transportation Challenges Experienced by Older Adults.

We explored the severity, number, and reasons for transportation challenges experienced by older adult drivers, nondrivers who live with a driver, and nondrivers who do not live with a driver. A random sample of 1,670 Atlantic Canadian community-dwelling older adults completed a mailed survey. Drivers comprised 80% of the participants. Just more than one fifth of participants experienced at least occasional transportation challenges. Two thirds of nondrivers who lived with a driver reported having no transportation challenges. Almost half of the nondrivers who did not live with a driver indicated never experiencing transportation challenges, and 84% of drivers had no transportation challenges. Nondrivers who did not live with a driver experienced greater frequency and severity of transportation challenges. This research contributes to our understanding of the characteristics of older adults with different driving statuses and their transportation challenges, which can contribute to providing appropriate transportation supports for older adults in the future.