AARP Research conducted a recent small study with drivers from independent living facilities and senior community centers found that many older drivers may be open to discussing their driving plans with physicians and family members.
Older adults and their loved ones are often challenged with difficult conversations related to lifestyle changes as one ages. Discussions about driving retirement are especially difficult as many see it as losing independence. There are various tools to help plan for and navigate these difficult conversations. One tool used for facilitating such conversations is an Advance Driving Directive (ADD). Similar to advance directives related to healthcare and end-of-life issues, ADDs are planning agreements that allow a driver to identify a person(s) to help them decide when to stop driving and identify possible transportation alternatives.
The research shows that ADDs may facilitate the discussions older drivers may be willing to have and help define driving-related wishes in the future, according to the research.
AARP’s study found that most adults age 50 and older drive. However, three in ten (30%) only drive a few times a week and one in 15 (6%) do not drive at all. Of those who do drive, men and adults ages 50 to 64 are significantly more likely than their counterparts to say their driving is excellent (gender: men, 62% vs. women, 48%; age: 50 to 64, 58% vs. 65-plus, 50%). And, regardless of their driving skill, about three-quarters (72%) say driving is not stressful.
Nearly all adults ages 50 and older are not aware of Advance Driving Directives (ADD), according to AARP. Like healthcare and end-of-life planning documents, ADDs are agreements that allow drivers to select a person(s) to help them identify possible transportation alternatives if they decide to or need to drive less. Once defined, six in 10 say it is likely they would complete a directive if it were recommended by their child (61%), primary care physician (60%), and/or spouse/partner (60%). Women are more likely than men to say it is very likely they would complete an ADD if requested by their child (31% vs. 22%), while adults ages 65-plus are more likely than those ages 50 to 64 to say it is very likely they would complete one if suggested by their primary care provider (29% vs. 19%). However, only a quarter (24%) say it is very likely they would actually follow the directive, with over half (55%) saying it is at least somewhat likely they would follow the directive.
More data and information are available on the AARP Research webpage here.