Access to Transportation for Chittenden County Vermont Senior Citizens

Introduction. Elderly age often means a progressive loss of independence and mobility. Research has shown that this lack of mobility has a detrimental effect on health and well-being. It is estimated that 25% of Vermonters will be ≥65 years by 2030. Thus, the rapid rise in the elderly population will translate into a greater need for reliable transportation. We sought to explore if and how lack of transportation compromised areas of seniors’ daily lives.

Methods. We surveyed elderly people living in Chittenden County, Vermont to determine transportation options, usage, and impact. Surveys consisted of 37 questions assessing transportation access and its impact on perceived important activities.

Results.1,221 surveys were distributed; 260 were returned and 252 met criteria for analysis. We found that seniors experienced overwhelming difficulty getting to activities that were important to them, with over 40% of individuals reporting challenges in transportation, regardless of the activity assessed. Particularly troublesome was the 69% of people who delayed medical appointments due to lack of a ride, over 40% of whom often or always delayed appointments. Seniors also reported difficulty asking family and friends for rides, although they were their primary method of transportation.

Conclusions. The inability to drive, coupled with the lack of accessible and affordable transportation options, leads to missed healthcare appointments, decreased community involvement, and social isolation, which may have detrimental effects on seniors’ quality of life. Our data shows that many seniors face significant transportation challenges; it is critical that their access to transportation improves.