Marian E Betz1,2, Nicole R Fowler3,4, S Duke Han5, Linda L Hill6, Rachel L Johnson7, Lauren Meador1, Faris Omeragic1, Ryan A Peterson7, Carolyn DiGuiseppi8. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA. 2. VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA. 3. Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 4. Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 5. Department of Family Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 6. School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA. 7. Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA. 8. Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected driving and health outcomes in older adults. METHODS: We compared Advancing Understanding of Transportation Options (AUTO) study participants enrolled before (December 2019 to March 2020) versus during the pandemic (May 2020 to June 2021). Participants were English-speaking, licensed drivers (≥70 years) who drove weekly and had a primary care provider at a study site and ≥1 medical condition potentially associated with driving cessation. We used baseline self-reported measures on mobility and health. RESULTS: Compared to those enrolled pre-COVID-19 (n = 61), more participants enrolled during COVID-19 (n = 240) reported driving reductions (26% vs. 70%, p < .001) and more often for personal preference (vs. medical/emotional reasons). While mean social isolation was higher during than pre-COVID-19, self-reported depression, stress, and overall health PROMIS scores did not differ significantly. DISCUSSION: Our findings highlight the resiliency of some older adults and have implications for mitigating the negative effects of driving cessation.
OBJECTIVES: To examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected driving and health outcomes in older adults. METHODS: We compared Advancing Understanding of Transportation Options (AUTO) study participants enrolled before (December 2019 to March 2020) versus during the pandemic (May 2020 to June 2021). Participants were English-speaking, licensed drivers (≥70 years) who drove weekly and had a primary care provider at a study site and ≥1 medical condition potentially associated with driving cessation. We used baseline self-reported measures on mobility and health. RESULTS: Compared to those enrolled pre-COVID-19 (n = 61), more participants enrolled during COVID-19 (n = 240) reported driving reductions (26% vs. 70%, p < .001) and more often for personal preference (vs. medical/emotional reasons). While mean social isolation was higher during than pre-COVID-19, self-reported depression, stress, and overall health PROMIS scores did not differ significantly. DISCUSSION: Our findings highlight the resiliency of some older adults and have implications for mitigating the negative effects of driving cessation.
Authors: Jerri D Edwards; Martinique Perkins; Lesley A Ross; Sandra L Reynolds Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2009-01-30 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Kimberly A Van Orden; Emily Bower; Julie Lutz; Caroline Silva; Autumn M Gallegos; Carol A Podgorski; Elizabeth J Santos; Yeates Conwell Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2020-05-18 Impact factor: 7.996