Implications of driving cessation amongst Canada’s older adults living in rural and small urban communities

While policymakers have long recognized the impact of an aging population on Canada’s health care and national pension plans, driving by older adults has received less attention. Driving cessation, often due to poor or declining health or eyesight, is particularly troublesome due to known linkages with social isolation. For policymakers to respond effectively to transportation-related impacts of an aging population, they must understand changing travel behaviours as cessation is approached and completed. Older adults residing in rural and small urban areas where transportation alternatives are more limited and reliance on the car is greater were the focus of this research, shifting the emphasis away from larger urban areas. This interdisciplinary team, consisting of scholars in geography, aging, rehabilitation science and business, is exploring the driving behaviors of older Canadians in small towns and rural areas to gain a better understanding of their driving options and the impact of driving cessation on their ability to participate in their community. 

“Funding from the Labarge Centre has led to new insights into the challenges faced by older adults living in rural areas and small towns when it comes to their travel options and behaviours.” — Bruce Newbold