Journal
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
Volume 64, Issue 2, Pages 300-305Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gln019
Keywords
Driving cessation; Mortality; Older drivers
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Funding
- NIA NIH HHS [5R37 AG 05739-16, 1P30 AG 022838-01, R37 AG005739, P30 AG022838] Funding Source: Medline
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Background. Driving cessation can lead to myriad negative consequences for older adults. The purpose of these analyses was to examine driving status as a predictor of mortality among community-dwelling older adults. Methods. This prospective cohort study included 660 community-dwelling adults ranging in age between 63 and 97 years. Between 2000 and 2004, participants completed performance-based assessments of vision, cognition, and physical abilities and indexes of health, depression, self-efficacy, and driving habits. Follow-up telephone interviews were completed approximately 3 years later. Results. Among community- dwelling older adults, older age, health, poor near visual acuity, depressive symptoms, compromised cognitive status, and being a nondriver are associated with increased risk for a 3-year mortality. Nondrivers were four to six times more likely to die than drivers during the subsequent 3-year period. Conclusions. The ability to drive represents both a sign of cherished independence and underlying health and wellbeing for older adults. Retaining this ability is an important health concern in the United States.
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