The Importance of Transportation and Prioritization of Environmental Needs to Sustain Well-Being among Older Adults

Abstract

This study examines the influence of transportation dependence and fulfillment of transportation needs on well-being based on a community sample ( N = 174). The majority (54.4%) of transportation-dependent participants had unfulfilled transportation needs, whereas this was the case for very few (7.1%) of those independent of transportation support. Regression analyses revealed that the transportation needs variable was statistically significant, whereas the transportation dependence factor was not. In terms of the prioritization of environmental components, elderly dependent on transportation support placed higher importance on housing than on neighborhood or community elements compared to more mobile seniors. Participants with unmet transportation needs were more likely to depend solely on family to provide transportation, whereas participants with fulfilled transportation needs were more likely to include friends or neighbors for providing transportation support. Results suggest that prioritization of needs enables seniors to maintain positive wellbeing despite experiencing functional limitations or being dependent on transportation services.