International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Editorial

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3 pages, 242 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Daily Travel and Wellbeing among the Elderly

by Margareta Friman and Lars E. Olsson

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(7), 2342; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072342 - 30 Mar 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2795

Abstract

The purpose of this Special Issue is to introduce and demonstrate the importance of daily travel in elderly people’s lives [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Daily Travel and Wellbeing among the Elderly)

Research

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15 pages, 643 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experiences of the Built Environment, Falls and Fear of Falling Outdoors among Older Adults: An Exploratory Study and Future Directions

by Angela Curl, Helen Fitt and Melanie Tomintz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(4), 1224; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041224 - 14 Feb 2020

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 5444

Abstract

Falls can have serious impacts on the health, wellbeing and daily mobilities of older adults. Falls are a leading cause of injury and death amongst older adults and outdoor falls comprise a substantial proportion of pedestrian injuries. As well as physical injuries, the [...] Read more.

Falls can have serious impacts on the health, wellbeing and daily mobilities of older adults. Falls are a leading cause of injury and death amongst older adults and outdoor falls comprise a substantial proportion of pedestrian injuries. As well as physical injuries, the psychological impacts of experiencing a fall can result in older adults getting out of the house less often, resulting in lower levels of physical activity and social connection. Despite the known consequences of falls, relatively little research considers the impact of the urban built environment on falls among older adults. This research aimed to explore the experiences of older adults in the urban environment, falling and the fear of falling outdoors. We conducted an online survey with adults aged 50+ using a participatory mapping survey tool and a convenience sample. The study area was Greater Christchurch, New Zealand. Results suggest that both perceived accessibility and neighbourhood conditions are independently associated with fear of falling, after controlling for frequency of falling, gender and activities of daily living. Our findings demonstrate the need for much better understandings of the relationships between the urban environment, outdoor mobility, fear of falling and falling among older adults and we propose suggestions for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Daily Travel and Wellbeing among the Elderly)

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19 pages, 647 KiB

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Examining the Process of Modal Choice for Everyday Travel Among Older People

by Jean Ryan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(3), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030691 - 21 Jan 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3308

Abstract

Modal choice is a prominent concept within transport studies. However, the term is often used quite loosely, with little known about the factors lying behind the choice, the alternatives available to a person, and whether the person had a ‘choice’ to begin with. [...] Read more.

Modal choice is a prominent concept within transport studies. However, the term is often used quite loosely, with little known about the factors lying behind the choice, the alternatives available to a person, and whether the person had a ‘choice’ to begin with. This study draws on a travel survey among older people living in Sweden’s large metropolitan regions. The questions posed as part of this survey facilitate a greater insight into the processes at play behind modal choice. An analysis of the differences between: (1) the range of modal options available to respondents and (2) the modes selected from this range (modal choice) is presented. An analysis of the respondents’ reasoning for choosing the modes they did and not the others they could have chosen is also presented. It was found that more than a quarter of respondents have the option to use and actually use all modes for everyday travel. The car is more inclined to be selected among those who have a range of different modal options. Suitability and comfort are the two main reasons given for modal choice. More positive reasons are given for actively selecting walking and cycling, whereas the motives behind the selection of the car instead tend to be framed as reasons for not selecting other modes. Adaptive preference and adjustment effects are also apparent in the selection processes. This study gives us a deeper understanding of the intricate mechanisms and reasoning at play behind the process of modal choice among this group. In this way, we have a better basis for shaping and implementing measures to promote and encourage sustainable mobility, in such a way that the well-being of older people is also supported. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Daily Travel and Wellbeing among the Elderly)

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16 pages, 694 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mobility, Out-of-Home Activity Participation and Needs Fulfilment in Later Life

by Susanne T. Dale Nordbakke

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(24), 5109; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16245109 - 14 Dec 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2940

Abstract

Using nationally representative survey of 4723 people aged 67 or older living in Norway, this paper explores the link between wellbeing, out-of-home activity participation and mobility in old age. A basic assumption of this paper is that out-home activities mediated through mobility can [...] Read more.

Using nationally representative survey of 4723 people aged 67 or older living in Norway, this paper explores the link between wellbeing, out-of-home activity participation and mobility in old age. A basic assumption of this paper is that out-home activities mediated through mobility can contribute to needs fulfillment, and, hence, wellbeing. This study explores the role of preferences, and individual and contextual constraints, in both the overall level of out-of-home activity participation in old age and the level of participation in three specific out-of-home activities (grocery shopping, visiting family or friends, and attending cultural activities). A person’s degree of home orientation is used as an indicator of preference for indoor activities. The findings suggest that age, living status, income, education, holding a driving license, health, social network, centrality of residence, and the quality of the public transport supply have a significant impact on the overall participation level. In addition, the study suggests that the types of constraints vary between travel purposes and the location of activities. Moreover, there is an independent effect of the degree of home orientation on the overall participation level, on the degree of visits to family and friends and on the degree of attending cultural activities, which suggest that people differ in their need for out-of-home activities. However, degree of home orientation has no impact on the degree of grocery shopping, which might imply that grocery shopping is more independent of preferences. The main conclusion from this study is that the extent to which out-of-home activities fulfill needs vary between individuals, depending on their preferences as well as the interplay between individual abilities and resources and contextual conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Daily Travel and Wellbeing among the Elderly)

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13 pages, 4558 KiB

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Access to Services in Rural Areas from the Point of View of Older Population—A Case Study in Finland

by Ira Verma and Jonna Taegen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(23), 4854; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234854 - 2 Dec 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4048

Abstract

Independence and having control over one’s own life are important factors for residential satisfaction. In rural areas, the mobility of people is based on owning a private car, due to the lack of public transport. Furthermore, planning in rural municipalities is highly car [...] Read more.

Independence and having control over one’s own life are important factors for residential satisfaction. In rural areas, the mobility of people is based on owning a private car, due to the lack of public transport. Furthermore, planning in rural municipalities is highly car oriented. Small municipalities with shrinking and aging populations have many challenges to ensure access to services for their residents. This paper focuses on a case study of a small municipality with less than 2000 inhabitants. The objective of the study was to enhance sustainable change in shrinking rural areas and maintain them as good places to live even in the future. Access to local services and social activities is a major challenge for older people, who no longer have the possibility to use their own car. The problem with relocation is the lack of suitable apartments for older people. A dense and walkable municipal centre with accessible apartments may help municipalities provide for their older populations. Moreover, in Finland, second homeowners are an important resource for small municipalities. Spaces for social intercourse between residents and between permanent residents and second homeowners may enhance vitality and community building in these municipalities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Daily Travel and Wellbeing among the Elderly)

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15 pages, 1040 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Accessibility, Satisfaction with Daily Travel, and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly

by Katrin Lättman, Lars E. Olsson, Margareta Friman and Satoshi Fujii

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(22), 4498; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224498 - 14 Nov 2019

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 5975 | Correction

Abstract

People are living longer than they did previously, and the proportion of older people is increasing worldwide. This rapid development will have implications for the transport system, in general, and for travel behavior and accessibility to daily activities, in particular. In recent years, [...] Read more.

People are living longer than they did previously, and the proportion of older people is increasing worldwide. This rapid development will have implications for the transport system, in general, and for travel behavior and accessibility to daily activities, in particular. In recent years, both research and politics have drawn the attention of the public to issues affecting the opportunities of the elderly to participate in everyday life. The debate has so far mostly focused on health issues, with limited work having been done on the ability of the elderly to live the lives they want to considering how they travel. With this view, a theoretical model, grounded in a model of travel and subjective wellbeing was developed to explore the role of perceived accessibility in satisfaction with travel and life satisfaction. Empirical data were collected from a sample of 2422 respondents (aged 60–92) from five cities in Northern Europe (Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, Copenhagen, Bergen) and analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings confirmed the link between perceived accessibility, travel satisfaction, and life satisfaction. The findings also showed the role of sociodemographic and travel attributes in perceived accessibility and satisfaction with travel, as well as the moderating effects of different age groups. We conclude that this moderating role played by age indicates that we should not always treat the elderly as a homogenous group in research and transport planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Daily Travel and Wellbeing among the Elderly)

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20 pages, 1551 KiB

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Loneliness and Life Satisfaction Explained by Public-Space Use and Mobility Patterns

by Lisanne Bergefurt, Astrid Kemperman, Pauline van den Berg, Aloys Borgers, Peter van der Waerden, Gert Oosterhuis and Marco Hommel

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(21), 4282; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214282 - 4 Nov 2019

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 8369

Abstract

Previous research has shown that personal, neighborhood, and mobility characteristics could influence life satisfaction and loneliness of people and that exposure to public spaces, such as green spaces, may also affect the extent to which people feel lonely or satisfied with life. However, [...] Read more.

Previous research has shown that personal, neighborhood, and mobility characteristics could influence life satisfaction and loneliness of people and that exposure to public spaces, such as green spaces, may also affect the extent to which people feel lonely or satisfied with life. However, previous studies mainly focused on one of these effects, resulting in a lack of knowledge about the simultaneous effects of these characteristics on loneliness and life satisfaction. This study therefore aims to gain insights into how public-space use mediates the relations between personal, neighborhood, and mobility characteristics on the one hand and loneliness and life satisfaction on the other hand. Relationships were analyzed using a path analysis approach, based on a sample of 200 residents of three neighborhoods of the Dutch city ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The results showed that the influence of frequency of public-space use on life satisfaction and loneliness is limited. The effects of personal, neighborhood, and mobility characteristics on frequency of use of public space and on loneliness and life satisfaction were found to be significant. Age and activities of daily living (ADL) are significantly related to each other, and ADL was found to influence recreational and passive space use and loneliness and life satisfaction. Policymakers should, therefore, mainly focus on creating neighborhoods that are highly walkable and accessible, where green spaces and public-transport facilities are present, to promote physical activity among all residents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Daily Travel and Wellbeing among the Elderly)

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13 pages, 696 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing A Model of Mobility Capital for An Ageing Population

by Charles Musselwhite and Theresa Scott

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(18), 3327; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16183327 - 10 Sep 2019

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4945

Abstract

Driving a car meets older people’s needs, providing utility (getting from A to B), psychosocial (providing identity and roles and feelings of independence and normality) and aesthetic (mobility for its own sake) mobilities. Giving up driving is related to poorer health and wellbeing. [...] Read more.

Driving a car meets older people’s needs, providing utility (getting from A to B), psychosocial (providing identity and roles and feelings of independence and normality) and aesthetic (mobility for its own sake) mobilities. Giving up driving is related to poorer health and wellbeing. This paper addresses how older people cope when they give up driving, using Bourdieu’s theory of capital as a way of categorising different barriers and enablers to managing without a car in a hypermobile society. Older people are most likely to mention barriers and enablers to mobility relating to infrastructure capital (technology, services, roads, pavements, finance and economics), followed by social capital (friends, family, neighbourhood and community). Cultural capital (norms, expectations, rules, laws) and individual capital (skills, abilities, resilience, adaptation and desire and willingness to change) are less important but still significantly contribute to older people’s mobility. Implications for policy and practice suggest that provision for older people beyond the car must explore capital across all four of the domains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Daily Travel and Wellbeing among the Elderly)

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