Understanding the Burden of Providing Rides for Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Mauldin Rebecca, Handique Swasati, Jang Soeun, Parekh Rupal
Primary Institution: University of Texas at Arlington
Hypothesis
This study explores the use of geographic information systems to develop geospatial models of routine travel patterns for older adults and their ride providers.
Conclusion
The study found that many ride providers experience significant burdens, including transportation costs and personal stress, when providing rides to older adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Nearly half of the ride providers experienced transportation costs, missed work, and increased personal stress from giving rides.
- Significant portions of ride-provision activity spaces were found outside the provider’s regular activity spaces.
- The percentage of the ride-provision activity space outside the regular activity space was associated with giving fewer rides per month.
Takeaway
This study looks at how giving rides to older people can be hard for those who help them, showing that it can cost money and make them stressed.
Methodology
Cross-sectional survey and geospatial analyses using ArcGIS.
Participant Demographics
Ride providers were people who provided rides to older Vietnamese immigrants in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website