Ensuring Enabling and Supportive EnvironmentsHousing and the living environment - Transportation
Transportation has been called the glue that connects older people, essential services and the social and religious activities important to their well-being. The absence of affordable, accessible, timely transportation forces many elders to become isolated and at risk of marginalization. Concern for safety measures to reduce accidents has increased as the incidence and prevalence of injuries due to accidents has increased.
Research- While the number of serious studies about transport is increasing, complex and simple societies need innovative and effective strategies to increase the mobility of older people without placing them at risk of falls, accidents, and home and work related injuries.
- The skills and knowledge of occupational therapists need to be shared with community people, housing specialist, transportation managers and others who interact with older people facing threats associated with transport.
- Modifications in transport require engineers, planners, community people and older people to discuss the transport needs of older people—and the entire community—and to devise strategies to develop a sustainable transport system.
- Counselors, coordinators, social workers and others engaged in working with older people need to be aware of transport needs of older people, services available in the community, and provide the coordination people need to access transport.
- Those professionals and others who are aware of the severity of transport problems in the community need to become advocates for transport systems that work for older people and their families.