HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: AJPH.2005.069146v1 96/7/1254    most recent Submit a response View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (9) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Freeman, E. E. Articles by West, S. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Freeman, E. E. Articles by West, S. K. Related Collections Aging Epidemiology Health Care Facilities/Services Health Policy

Ellen E. Freeman, PhD, Stephen J. Gange, PhD, Beatriz Muñoz, MSc and Sheila K. West, PhD

Ellen E. Freeman, Beatriz Muñoz, and Sheila K. West are with the Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. Stephen J. Gange is with the Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Sheila West, Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology, Room 129, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 (e-mail: shwest{at}jhmi.edu).

Objectives. Given the importance of driving in American society, older non-drivers may be unable to meet basic needs while living independently. We assessed whether not driving is an independent risk factor for entering long-term care (LTC) institutions.

Methods. Data were used from 1593 older adults who participated in the Salisbury Eye Evaluation cohort study and completed an additional telephone survey. Questions on driving status and LTC entry were obtained by self/proxy report. Cox time-dependent regression procedures were used to adjust for demographic and health factors.

Results. Former and never drivers had higher hazards of LTC entry after adjustment for demographic and health variables (hazard ratio [HR]=4.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.26, 7.21; and HR=3.53; 95% CI=1.89, 6.58, respectively). Also, having no other drivers in the house was an independent risk factor for LTC entry (HR=1.72; 95% CI=1.15, 2.57).

Discussion. Older adults are expected to make good decisions about when to stop driving, but the hardships imposed on older adults by not driving are not widely recognized. Innovative strategies to improve transportation options for older adults should be considered.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Caragata Nasvadi and A. Wister Do Restricted Driver's Licenses Lower Crash Risk Among Older Drivers? A Survival Analysis of Insurance Data From British Columbia Gerontologist, June 17, 2009; (2009) gnp039v2. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Edwards, C. Myers, L. A. Ross, D. L. Roenker, G. M. Cissell, A. M. McLaughlin, and K. K. Ball The Longitudinal Impact of Cognitive Speed of Processing Training on Driving Mobility Gerontologist, June 2, 2009; (2009) gnp042v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. G. Wadley, O. Okonkwo, M. Crowe, D. E. Vance, J. M. Elgin, K. K. Ball, and C. Owsley Mild Cognitive Impairment and Everyday Function: An Investigation of Driving Performance J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, June 1, 2009; 22(2): 87 - 94. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. A. Turano, B. Munoz, S. E. Hassan, D. D. Duncan, E. W. Gower, K. B. Roche, L. Keay, C. A. Munro, and S. K. West Poor Sense of Direction Is Associated With Constricted Driving Space in Older Drivers J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci, May 1, 2009; 64B(3): 348 - 355. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A. Ross, O. J. Clay, J. D. Edwards, K. K. Ball, V. G. Wadley, D. E. Vance, G. M. Cissell, D. L. Roenker, and J. J. Joyce Do Older Drivers At-Risk for Crashes Modify Their Driving Over Time? J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci, March 1, 2009; 64B(2): 163 - 170. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Edwards, M. Perkins, L. A. Ross, and S. L. Reynolds Driving Status and Three-Year Mortality Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, February 1, 2009; 64A(2): 300 - 305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Ackerman, J. D. Edwards, L. A. Ross, K. K. Ball, and M. Lunsman Examination of Cognitive and Instrumental Functional Performance as Indicators for Driving Cessation Risk Across 3 Years Gerontologist, December 1, 2008; 48(6): 802 - 810. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Mezuk and G. W. Rebok Social Integration and Social Support Among Older Adults Following Driving Cessation J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., September 1, 2008; 63(5): S298 - S303. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. K. LoConte, C. E. Gleason, G. Gunter-Hunt, C. M. Carlsson, and M. Siebers Standardized Note Template Improves Screening of Firearm Access and Driving Among Veterans With Dementia American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, August 1, 2008; 23(4): 313 - 318. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. D. Edwards, L. A. Ross, M. L. Ackerman, B. J. Small, K. K. Ball, S. Bradley, and J. E. Dodson Longitudinal Predictors of Driving Cessation Among Older Adults From the ACTIVE Clinical Trial J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., January 1, 2008; 63(1): P6 - P12. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. O'Neill Driving and dementia Can. Med. Assoc. J., January 30, 2007; 176(3): 351 - 351. [Full Text] [PDF]