Hold on to the steering wheel, not the crutch
Refusal to drive worsens the health of the elderly
Julia Korowski, XXII CENTURY
Scientists from the School of Health Management named after Mailman (Mailman School of Public Health) of Columbia University found that giving up driving leads to a deterioration in the health of the elderly (Health Goes Downhill When Older Adults Stop Driving).
"For many older people, driving is more than a privilege, it plays an important role in their daily lives and is an important indicator of self–control, personal freedom and independence," says Guohua Li, one of the authors of the study. "Unfortunately, with age, as cognitive functions and the state of the body deteriorate, driving almost inevitably has to be abandoned."
Scientists suggest that the refusal to drive and the deterioration of health are mutually conditioned: health problems force you to give up driving, and the refusal to drive aggravates health problems. They analyzed data from 16 studies from America, Australia, Finland and Kuwait on people over the age of 55 and compared the health status of those who drive a car and those who have given up driving.
It turned out that elderly people who no longer drive are almost twice as likely to become victims of depression. At the same time, access to other modes of transport does not necessarily reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. Scientists, however, do not rule out that both the refusal to drive and depression are caused by some common factor, for example, deterioration of health.
Studies have shown that there is a strong link between stopping driving and poor physical condition. It persists even taking into account socio-demographic factors. This may be due to the fact that it is more difficult to purchase medicines and get medical care without a car. In addition, people who have given up driving spend more time at home and suffer from a lack of outdoor activity.
The circle of their friends and relatives is reduced by half. Cognitive abilities decline faster than those who are still driving. Scientists recommend developing programs that would help older people maintain social and physical activity. "When it comes time to give up driving, it is important to develop an individual plan to maintain mobility and social functions," says Thelma Mielenz, associate professor at the school. Mailman.
In the United States and other industrialized countries, a personal car is the most preferred mode of transport for many. According to a study conducted in Australia, older people consider driving to be the second most important household activity.
Article by Chihuri et al. Driving Cessationand Health Outcomes in Older Adults is published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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02.02.2015