| It cannot be all about safety: the benefits of prolonged mobility. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 18696394 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVES: While there is much emphasis on managing the safety of older road users, there is limited understanding and recognition of the significance of mobility and transportation needs, mobility changes in later life, and the impact of reduced mobility on quality of life. Moreover, there is little information about the measures that can be taken to increase or at least maintain mobility in older age. METHOD: A systematic literature review was undertaken to address the issues associated with the transportation and mobility needs of older road users. Articles and publications were selected for relevance and research strength and strategies and measures aimed to manage the safe mobility of older road users were reviewed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The review provides clear evidence that, for older adults who cease driving, quality of life is reduced and that there are a number of adverse consequences of poor mobility. The misconceptions regarding the risks that older drivers pose on the road and how their safe mobility should be managed are discussed, particularly the implications of current licensing procedures on mobility. Evidence is also presented showing there are subgroups of older adults who are more likely to suffer more pronounced mobility consequences including women and financially disadvantaged groups. Moreover, "best-practice" strategies for maintaining at least some level of mobility for older adults are highlighted in four broad categories: safer road users, safer vehicles, safer roads and infrastructure, and provision of new and innovative alternative transport options that are specifically tailored to older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Provision of safe travel options that allow easy access to services and amenities is a vital factor in maintaining mobility amongst older road users. An understanding that continued mobility means access to a private vehicle, either as a driver (for as long as possible as it is safe to drive) or as a passenger, and easy and practical access to other forms of transport is essential in the management of health, well-being, and the safe mobility of older road users. |
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Authors:
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Jennifer Oxley; Michelle Whelan |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Traffic injury prevention Volume: 9 ISSN: 1538-957X ISO Abbreviation: Traffic Inj Prev Publication Date: 2008 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2008-08-12 Completed Date: 2008-10-24 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101144385 Medline TA: Traffic Inj Prev Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 367-78 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Jennie.Oxley@muarc.monash.edu.au |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Accidents, Traffic
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prevention & control*,
statistics & numerical data Age Factors Aged Aged, 80 and over Australia Automobile Driving / psychology*, statistics & numerical data Female Geriatric Assessment* Humans Longevity Male Quality of Life* Risk Assessment Safety / standards, statistics & numerical data* Sex Factors Task Performance and Analysis Transportation / methods* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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