Driving status and three-year mortality among community-dwelling older adults.
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 well-being for older adults. Retaining this ability is an important health concern in the United States.
Edwards
Jerri D
JD
School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. jedwards1@cas.usf.edu
Perkins
Martinique
M
Ross
Lesley A
LA
Reynolds
Sandra L
SL
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014481:United States; D014792:Visual Acuity