title: Access to transportation for Chittenden County Vermont older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aging often leads to decreased independence and mobility, which can be detrimental to health and well-being. The growing population of older adults will create a greater need for reliable transportation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Explore whether and how lack of transportation has compromised areas of daily lives in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  1221 surveys with 36 questions assessing transportation access, usage, and impact on activities were distributed to Chittenden County, Vermont older adults; 252 met criteria for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older adults reported overwhelming difficulty getting to activities considered important, with 69 % of participants delaying medical appointments due to transportation barriers. Although family and friends represent a primary method of transportation, older adults reported difficulty asking them for help.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lack of accessible transportation leads to missed healthcare appointments and social isolation, which may have detrimental effects on older adults' quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many older adults face significant transportation challenges that negatively affect their health and well-being.
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA. hadleystrout@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6113-2144
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hadley Strout
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Pishoy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haroun
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Blake
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leavitt
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Cordelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Mutlay
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sayan
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.affiliation: United Way of Chittenden County, 412 Farrell St #200, South Burlington, VT, 05403, USA.
authors.forename: Alyson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Platzer
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hutchins
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave., Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Jan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Carney
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014186:Transportation
keywords: Geriatrics; Health; Older adults; Transportation