Addressing Individual Differences in Mobility Transition Counseling With Older Adults

Abstract

In the final phase of a 3-phase project, the Assessment of Readiness for Mobility Transition (ARMT) was clinically validated, emphasizing assessment/intervention. ARMT and coping, health/vision status, and social support measures were administered to 133 community-dwelling older adults. Concurrent validity is supported. Higher readiness to cope with mobility transition and self-confidence related to fall risk, higher self-rated health/vision, and fewer maladaptive behaviors, but not social support/adaptive coping, suggesting that those at risk can benefit from person-centered intervention to mobilize strengths for transportation/mobility planning. Older drivers may harbor unrealistic expectations regarding nonfamily mobility support. Implications for practice, education, research, and policy are presented.

Keywords:

• transportation
• mobility
• measurement

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Center on Senior Transportation, Washington, DC, a subsidiary of Easter Seals, Inc. We extend gratitude to the student research assistants who helped with this project: Annie Harmon, Lauren Choate, Claire Schillinger, Shaoxuan Shi, and Stacy Beckenholdt. A special thanks to the older adults who volunteered to participate in this project.