title: A pilot study using global positioning systems (GPS) devices and surveys to ascertain older adults' travel patterns.
abstract: Some studies indicate that older adults lead active lives and travel to many destinations including those not in their immediate residential neighborhoods. We used global positioning system (GPS) devices to track the travel patterns of 40 older adults (mean age: 69) in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Study participants wore the GPS devices for 7 days in fall 2010 and winter 2011. We collected survey responses concurrently about travel patterns. GPS data showed a mean of four trips/day, and a mean trip distance of 7.6 km. Survey data indicated that older adults commonly made trips for four activities (e.g., volunteering, work, visiting friends) at least once each week. Older adults regularly travel outside their residential neighborhoods. GPS can document the mode of travel, the path of travel, and the destinations. Surveys can document the purpose of the travel and the impressions or experiences in the specific locations.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA irene.yen@ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: Irene H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.affiliation: Center for Health and Community, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Cindy W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Computer Science Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mars
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: Computer Science Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarrafzadeh
authors.affiliation: UCLA Med-GIM & HSR, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Karen C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kayekjian
authors.affiliation: UCLA Med-GIM & HSR, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: O Kenrik
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Duru
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012495:San Francisco; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: GPS devices; ageing; mobility; neighborhood