Role of transportation in supporting the ability of hispanic and African American elders to age in place

Objective: To review the role of transportation services in maintaining out-of-home mobility, exploring differential effects by race/ethnicity and site of residence among older transportation users.

Methods: Data will be presented from the transportation module of the Fifth National Survey of the Older Americans Act (OAA), a multi-ethnic sub-sample of 824 participants. Multivariable analysis was used to explore patterns of transportation service use and perceived benefit to independent living, controlling for socio-demographic profiles, health status and disability, living environment, family support, and satisfaction with transportation services.

Results: Hispanics and African American seniors using OAA transportation services were more disabled, less educated, and had fewer financial resources than their White counterparts. Whites used transportation primarily for medical reasons, whereas Hispanics and African Americans used it more for social and recreational purposes. Suburban residents and individuals who had positive interactions with transportation personnel were more likely to attribute their ability to live in the community to the availability of transportation.

Conclusions: Perceived benefits of transportation services differed by race/ethnicity and geographic location. To best meet the needs of all older residents, urban planners and transportation service providers should incorporate staff customer service training, account for inherent difficulties in suburban areas, and consider the preferences and needs of a culturally diverse elder population.