Older Rural Adults and the Decision to Stop Driving: The Influence of Family and Friends

Abstract

Sixty rural elders who had stopped driving as well as their friends and family members participated in a qualitative study to explore (a) the perceptions of older drivers regarding the influence of friends and family on their decision to stop driving, (b) the perceptions of friends and family regarding their influence on that decision, and (c) the impact that no longer driving had on the elder and his or her friends and family. Findings suggest that the support offered by friends and family played a significant role in the decision to stop driving. Increased loneliness and isolation impacted the older driver, although an enhanced sense of responsibility was evident among friends and family.