Quality of life among older adults following driving cessation

Abstract

In Japan, the number of elderly driver's license holders is increasing with the aging of the population. There are some preferential treatment systems for license returners, and voluntary returners are supported by local governments. The number of voluntary returnees is increasing. Driving cessation among older people is associated with decreased activity, mobility, and exert the risk of functional limitation. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that affect the health condition and quality of life of driving cessation among older people, and to consider the maintenance of health after driving cessation. As a result, the driving cessation group has a lower frequency of going out, lower QOL, and less active social activities than license holders. Examining the traffic behavior of the driving cessation group, it was suggested that cyclists and public transport users had higher QOL and active social activities than nonbicycle users and public transport users.