Abstract
This qualitative study explored older adults’ feelings toward driving cessation, driving cessation preparedness, and the role CarFit may play in helping individuals prepare for driving cessation. The three themes discovered were loss of independence, lack of preparedness for driving cessation, and benefits of CarFit education. The key role OT practitioners can help play in helping older adults prepare for driving cessation based on findings will be reviewed.
Primary Author and Speaker: Megan Edwards Collins
Between the years 2010 and 2040 there will be a 13% to 20% increase in the older adult population aged 65 years and older. As one ages, the ability to safely drive may decrease. Driving has been found to be an essential activity often needed to fulfill other occupations, providing independence and freedom to be mobile around the community. Some negative consequences of unexpected driving cessation include depression, loss of control and independence, and a loss of identity and roles. This qualitative, phenomenological research study study aimed to explore the feelings older adults have towards driving cessation and how prepared they feel for driving cessation, as well as the role CarFit may play in helping older adults prepare for driving cessation.
Conducted by six occupational therapy students and their faculty research advisor, ten participants ultimately participated in the study. Recruited by convenience sampling from local senior centers, religious facilities, and YMCAs, inclusion criteria included being 65 or older and currently driving. The average age of participants was 74.7 years, and they were predominantly female, Caucasian, and widowed. Most participants drove daily, identified as the primary driver of their household, and had been driving for an average of 53.7 years. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, were taken through CarFit, and then participated in a Focus Group. Six participants were in the first CarFit/Focus Group session and four in the second. Focus group questions included "When you think about having to retire from driving, how do you feel?," "How prepared do you feel to retire from driving?," and What did you find most/least helpful about CarFit? The Focus Groups sessions were recorded and transcribed by the research team. All researchers independently reviewed the transcripts and analyzed them using inductive data analysis. The research team then reviewed their themes with each other and came to a consensus based on what was most supported by the data from the transcript (e.g., what was frequently said among participants). The three findings were Loss of Independence, Lack of Preparedness for Driving Cessation, and Benefits of CarFit Education. Loss of Independence related to having to depend on others, such as family or public transportation, and a sense of loss of control (e.g., not being able to go where they wanted to go when they wanted to go). Lack of Preparedness for Driving Cessation related to participants not knowing about available resources (e.g., alternative modes of transportation and adaptive equipment) or the steps to take toward driving cessation (including how to initiate and have a conversation about retiring from driving). The final theme, benefits of CarFit Education, included having a sense of validation or increased confidence that their cars were properly adjusted for them, and and an increased awareness of resources and recommendations related to driving.
Findings show that occupational therapy practitioners can play a key role in assisting older drivers with preparing for the transition to retiring from driving This can include providing education on driving alternatives and adaptive equipment, providing an objective viewpoint to help older adults realize when they might need to stop driving, providing emotional support and strategies for successful coping with driving cessation, and offering a holistic view to driving cessation and the impact it can have on clients’ daily routines. Providing such education and support can help better prepare older adults prepare for retiring from driving, including developing strategies to ensure their daily needs and wants are met.
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