André Hajek1, Christian Brettschneider2, Marion Eisele3, Hendrik van den Bussche3, Birgitt Wiese4, Silke Mamone4, Siegfried Weyerer5, Jochen Werle5, Verena Leve6, Michael Pentzek6, Susanne Röhr7, Janine Stein7, Horst Bickel8, Edelgard Mösch8, Kathrin Heser9, Michael Wagner10, Martin Scherer3, Wolfgang Maier10, Steffi G Riedel-Heller7, Hans-Helmut König2. 1. Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: a.hajek@uke.de. 2. Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. 3. Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. 4. Institute of General Practice, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. 5. Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany. 6. Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. 7. Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 8. Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany. 9. Department for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. 10. Department for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany.
Abstract
AIM: To present data on the prevalence of driving habits and to identify the determinants of driving habits among the oldest old in Germany. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were used from the "Study on Needs, health service use, costs and health-related quality of life in a large sample of oldest-old primary care patients (85+)" (AgeQualiDe), including primary care patients aged 85 years and above (n = 549 at FU 9, mean age was 90.3 years; 86-101 years). Driving habits were measured (driving a car; frequency of driving a car and driving duration). Correlates were quantified using widely established scales (e.g., Geriatric Depression Scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale). Multiple regression models were used to identify the determinants of driving habits. RESULTS: Sixteen percent (87 out of 549) drove a car. Among the car-drivers, about 80% drove at least several times a week and about two-thirds drove longer distances (>15 min). Multiple logistic regressions showed that among the oldest old being a male was more likely to be a current driver compared to being a female. Other significant factors were subjective memory impairment, severe visual impairment, functional and cognitive impairment. Correlates of frequency of driving a car and driving duration were further identified. CONCLUSION: About one in six very old Germans is still a regular car driver. Several determinants of driving habits among the oldest old were identified. Future longitudinal studies are required to clarify the factors leading to changes in driving habits.
AIM: To present data on the prevalence of driving habits and to identify the determinants of driving habits among the oldest old in Germany. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were used from the "Study on Needs, health service use, costs and health-related quality of life in a large sample of oldest-old primary care patients (85+)" (AgeQualiDe), including primary care patients aged 85 years and above (n = 549 at FU 9, mean age was 90.3 years; 86-101 years). Driving habits were measured (driving a car; frequency of driving a car and driving duration). Correlates were quantified using widely established scales (e.g., Geriatric Depression Scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale). Multiple regression models were used to identify the determinants of driving habits. RESULTS: Sixteen percent (87 out of 549) drove a car. Among the car-drivers, about 80% drove at least several times a week and about two-thirds drove longer distances (>15 min). Multiple logistic regressions showed that among the oldest old being a male was more likely to be a current driver compared to being a female. Other significant factors were subjective memory impairment, severe visual impairment, functional and cognitive impairment. Correlates of frequency of driving a car and driving duration were further identified. CONCLUSION: About one in six very old Germans is still a regular car driver. Several determinants of driving habits among the oldest old were identified. Future longitudinal studies are required to clarify the factors leading to changes in driving habits.