Older Drivers Retiring From the Road: An Application of the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Model

Abstract

Purpose: This study uses the selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) model to compare older adults who have given up driving, those who still drive, and those who drive less to identify differences in the three groups. Design and Methods: This cross-sectional study of 281 older adults is part of the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Demonstration Project. Study participants completed interviews that included questions on demographics, health and functioning, mental health, social support, and current levels of engagement in activities including current driving status. Results: Data suggest that driving retirement is a process and that a substantial number of people are in the transitional stage, where they are less functional than those who still drive and more similar to those who have retired from the road. Implications: Given the similarity of those who drive less to those who have given up driving, front-line professionals and policy makers must work together to ease the transition to driving retirement for those without adequate ability to effectively compensate for their inability to continue to drive safely.

KEYWORDS:

• Older adults
• driving
• selection
• optimization
• compensation

Notes

This project was made possible by support from the Administration on Aging (90AM2612) and the State of Missouri in grants to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis; from the Harvey A. and Dorismae Friedman Research Fund at Washington University in St. Louis; and from the Washington University Center for Aging (WUCFA). The WUCFA study team, led by John C. Morris, MD, Department of Neurology, included Brian D. Carpenter, PhD, Department of Psychology; Dorothy Edwards, PhD, OTR/L, Department of Occupational Therapy; Betsy Grant, PhD, Biostatistics; Peggy S. Neufeld, PhD, OTR/L, Department of Occupational Therapy; Janice L. Palmer, RN, MS, Department of Neurology; Margaret A. Perkinson, PhD, Departments of Anthropology and Psychology; and Susan Stark, PhD, OTR/L, Department of Occupational Therapy. This study was completed in partnership with the Jewish Federation of St. Louis under the direction of Dr. Stephen Cohen and Karen Berry Elbert, coordinator. Members of the WUCFA study team and Washington University in Saint Louis graduate students completed the interviews. Many thanks are owed to study participants for their time and willingness to participate in this study. (Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration on Aging policy.)

*One case is missing.

*Number = 278.