University of Alabama researchers published results from their study of rural older adults’ access to transportation. They explore the unique barriers that African-American and white American rural older adults face when accessing rural transportation options. Using data from the University of Alabama Study of Aging, the researchers were able to create a model predicting transportation difficulties for both whites and African Americans.
They found that older African-Americans reported significantly more difficulties than whites and that race and income interact to create unique barriers for both groups of older adults.
Older adults face elevated risks of social isolation as they get older because of the increased possibility of no longer driving. This is a problem that is acute in both urban and rural areas of the country; however, rural older adults are face greater risks because rural communities have significantly less access to public transportation and walkable destinations. Older adults in these communities face higher transportation costs than urban older adults, and trips to the store, doctor, neighbors, friends and family tend to be significantly greater in distance.
The researchers hypothesized that African American older adults would experience a unique set of barriers to transportation than white older adults because they tend to have less access to resources (e.g., money, jobs, social support from friends and family, etc.), especially in rural areas. Lower-income whites had more difficulty than higher-income whites, but both low- and high-income African Americans reported similar rates of transportation difficulty. Both groups of African Americans had less access to social resources (e.g., money, social support, etc.) that could connect them to transportation options than rural whites.
Lack of access to transportation is a significant problem for older adults throughout the country, regardless of ethnic background. Transportation is important for maintaining autonomy into late life and for preventing community-dwelling older adults from falling into a spiral of isolation. As the population of the U.S. gets older, serious efforts need to be made to define adequate levels and the types of services that can effectively enhance older adults’ quality of life. These problems are more acute in rural areas where transportation costs are high and access to walkable community destinations are less likely to be available.
Source: Park, N., Roff, L, Sun, F. et al. 2010. Transportation difficulty of black and white rural older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology 29:70-88.
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we have been fortunate in our county to have FREE transportation around the county – for senior citizens – but many of our senior citizens don’t take advantage of it as much as they should. I’m not sure if it is because of not knowing how to use it, arrange for it, or simply don’t feel it is the “right” choice for them. We are always encouraging the bus service to our Assisted and Supportive Living communities her in Clinton County.
Hi Marilyn,
If you have any advice for others who deal with similarly underutilized resources that would be very helpful. It could be a perception problem too. I know from living in areas that did not have public transportation that sometimes it can be viewed negatively, however, having lived with wonderful access to trains and buses for some time I understand how empowering it can be.
Some questions I have that may be helpful: How aware are your county’s residents of this service? How willing to use it are they? If they aren’t willing, is it scheduled or structured in a way for it to be useful for them? Would family members who normally provide rides and caregiving to older adults be the people to market this service too?
Thanks for the comment!