Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Background: Driving is the primary mode of community mobility for adults over the age of 65, and is associated with well-being and social participation. Currently, individuals continue to drive well into late-life. Previous research has found loss of driving privileges due to worsening medical conditions in this population impacts health, quality of life and social engagement, and higher rates of admission to long-term care. Given the health and social implications of loss of driving licensure, there is a tremendous need for a proactive approach that helps late-life adults maintain community mobility, and ensure they can stay in their home environments longer. Methods: This study will use multiple phases to develop a toolkit to guide late-life adults through the process of developing a mobility plan for when they stop driving. First, the latest research will be reviewed to identify key factors and outcomes specific to loss of driving licensure. Short summaries of this evidence will be created and shared with key stakeholder groups consisting of late-life drivers, caregivers and clinicians, who will provide input on the components to be included in the toolkit. The final phase of the study will consist of trialling the feasibility of administering the toolkit using existing licensure renewal processes for late-life drivers with/without support from a primary care provider. Results: Findings from this project will outline challenges experienced by late-life drivers, their caregivers, and clinicians when it comes to addressing the issue of giving up driving privileges once they have been identified as no longer medically fit-to-drive. Impact: This study aims to provide an understanding of the challenges faced by multiple stakeholders due to loss of driving licensure. Given Canada's aging population, interventions based on the best available evidence that support community mobility beyond driving is needed.