North American Research Report MARCH 2016 LetsTalkAboutDriving.com
BACKGROUND The goal of Home Instead, Inc. s study was to explore seniors perspectives on driving cessation: at what age they typically stop, what influences their decision, and how giving up the car keys impacts them. This research examines the point of view of two key audiences: 1. North American seniors age 70 or older who are current drivers/still on the road ( current drivers ); 2. North American seniors age 70 or older who no longer drive but used to ( former drivers ). INTRODUCTION Research conducted by Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care franchise network, indicates that surveyed North American seniors are still very active on the road, with nearly two-thirds (63%) driving three to five days a week, and more than half (56%) averaging more than 25 miles per week. In particular, the surveyed seniors in their 70s are more likely than those in their 80s to drive at least once a day (and those in their 70s also tend to feel more comfortable driving themselves). The survey results reiterated that these seniors are heavily dependent upon having a car and driving (particularly those in their 70s vs. those 80+). This ability gives them independence and freedom to do what they want, wherever and whenever they want. Therefore, it s not surprising that this loss of independence along with an increased reliance on family and friends to get around are the things that most concern them with losing their ability to drive. To that end, nearly half of these seniors are at least somewhat concerned with losing their driving ability. However, these seniors do appear to be fairly mindful when on the road. Their increased discomfort with driving in certain situations has been influenced primarily by their awareness both of others driving capabilities and their own. Nearly one quarter of these current drivers are driving less in general due to their concerns, which indicates a self-awareness on their behalf to limit their driving if they re not comfortable in certain situations. Additionally, 37% of those surveyed who don t currently limit their driving indicate they d consider doing so if they started to feel less confident on the road. For those who aren t considering giving up their driving privileges completely or even limiting them, the factors that will likely have the most impact in getting them to reconsider this decision include an actual physical limitation, a recommendation from their doctor or a medication that will hamper their ability to drive (i.e., factors that may not necessarily give them much of an option to continue driving). While roughly one-third of the surveyed senior drivers say that a recommendation from a friend or family member may make them reconsider their decision to limit or give up their driving privileges, most of these seniors (95%) have not had these conversations. (Those who are age 85 and older are the seniors most likely to have experienced these conversations.) Current drivers most often began limiting their driving in their 70s, while former drivers report they most often stopped driving at 80 or older, which provides a window of opportunity for friends and family members to at least consider broaching the idea of giving up driving, if needed. While those who have received a recommendation from a family member/friend to stop driving acknowledge that it was an emotional and challenging conversation, the majority say it was pleasant and agreeable. Still, the idea of having to give up driving completely typically sparks a range of emotions in senior drivers everything from anger to anxiety and loneliness. The emotions current drivers most often feel when asked to think about giving up driving are frustration, helplessness and depression. Nearly half of the former drivers say that, all things considered, giving up driving has made no impact on their life. However, while their stress and anxiety around driving has been reduced, the emotion most often felt now that they re not driving reportedly is relief. Roughly three in 10 say they don t miss driving (though 65% wish they could still drive). As a whole, friends and family are likely going to be the key resource that senior drivers most rely on if they re not able to drive. Although current drivers don t want to have to rely on family and friends to get around, this is the transportation option they say they most frequently have access to and actually use. Similarly, giving up driving has made former drivers more reliant on family and friends, who have become their primary sources of transportation. For more information and resources, visit LetsTalkAboutDriving.com. - 1 -
CURRENT DRIVERS KEY FINDINGS 9 in 10 seniors are dependent on having a car and being able to drive. SENIORS ON THE ROAD Our study confirms that the surveyed North American seniors are still very active on the road; 40% are driving at least once a day, if not more. Nearly one-fourth (22%) are driving three to five times a week. In particular, seniors in their 70s are more likely than those 80 or older to drive at least once a day. In addition, more than half (56%) of the surveyed North American seniors are driving more than 25 miles in an average week. Drivers are typically driving to grocery shop (84%), shopping for other items (68%), or visiting a friend or relative s home (63%). More than half are also attending social engagements (61%), visiting hair salons/barber shops (58%), or attending their place of worship (52%). North American seniors are dependent on driving; nearly nine in 10 (87%) surveyed seniors are very or totally dependent on having a car and being able to drive. Primarily, they appreciate the freedom and independence that driving can provide (and they re simply used to driving). It s also noteworthy that nearly half (47%) of surveyed North American seniors are at least somewhat concerned about losing their ability to drive (and 25% are extremely/very concerned). TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS NUMEROUS, BUT FEW USED Outside of driving, North American seniors have numerous transportation options, though they tend to rely on only a few primarily, family members and friends. More than half of the surveyed seniors have access to family members (56%) and friends (54%), and accordingly, 46% say they actually use family members and 32% actually use friends to help meet their transportation needs. Following these options, the use of other transportation options drops dramatically. For instance, while 40% of the surveyed seniors have access to a taxi, only 16% actually use it. Similarly, while 29% have access to community members as a transportation option, only 8% actually use this option. Surveyed seniors appear to not use these options because they don t feel comfortable with them: 15% say they are uncomfortable with a PRIVATELY HIRED DRIVER 18% say they are uncomfortable with RIDE-SHARING SERVICES 32% say they re only somewhat comfortable with a TAXI - 2 -
CONCERNS WITH DRIVING Driving at night is the primary concern surveyed senior drivers have; 41% say they are less comfortable with this than they used to be. Driving during rush hour (21%), on the highways (16%) and downtown (15%) are other situations in which these senior drivers feel less comfortable. The primary factor driving this decrease in confidence is simply awareness. They re becoming more aware of how other people drive (42%) and how they themselves drive (30%). Medical events/medical changes such as a medication change, an injury, etc. also play a role, but reportedly to a lesser extent (22%). In order to address these concerns, these surveyed seniors have, accordingly, started to drive less at night (64%), during rush hour (36%), on the highways (22%) and in the city (26%). Nearly one quarter (24%) say they are driving less in general due to these concerns. Although driving less has resulted in an increased reliance on family and friends to get around, nearly one-fifth (18%) of these seniors said it has led to a decrease in stress or anxiety around driving. LIMITING OR STOPPING DRIVING COMPLETELY Among those surveyed seniors who took steps to limit their driving, more than one-third (37%) began doing so while in their 70s. One fourth (25%) began limiting their driving even earlier, and 14% didn t start limiting it until they were 80 or older. Seniors who have done nothing to limit their driving reportedly aren t even considering it: 86% say they haven t thought about limiting their driving, and even more (94%) haven t thought about stopping driving completely. However, a number of things may make them reconsider particularly, a physical limitation (such as mobility/coordination 73%) or a recommendation from their doctor/other professional (67%). It s also worth noting that more than one-third (37%) of surveyed seniors say they d consider reducing or stopping their driving if they began feeling less confident on the road in general. DRIVING at NIGHT is the primary concern surveyed senior drivers have - 3 -
Losing their ability to drive would reportedly have a STRONG emotional IMPACT on seniors HAVING THE TALK The majority (95%) of surveyed North American seniors has not had any of their family or friends suggest they reduce or stop their driving. It s the older seniors age 85 or older who tend to receive this recommendation most often. Nearly one-fifth (18%) of those 85 or older have received this recommendation. Among those who have had this conversation, nearly six in 10 (59%) say it has been agreeable. However, there are definitely mixed emotions, as nearly one-fifth also say it was challenging and emotional. The things that concern surveyed seniors the most when thinking about losing their ability to drive is losing their freedom and independence the very thing that makes them so heavily dependent on driving. Nearly three-fourths (73%) say they are concerned with losing this flexibility. They also don t want to have to rely on family and friends to get places and think it would make them less able to get out and about. Plus, losing their ability to drive would mean they re getting older. Losing their ability to drive would also reportedly have a strong emotional impact on seniors, leading to feelings of: 38% FRUSTRATION 28% HELPLESSNESS 26% DEPRESSION Other feelings that could potentially accompany this loss include anxiety and loneliness. - 4 -
FORMER DRIVERS KEY FINDINGS 65% wish they could STILL DRIVE GIVING UP DRIVING Seniors no longer on the road waited a while to stop driving more than one-third (37%) of surveyed seniors didn t stop driving until they were age 80 or older. Nearly three in 10 (29%) stopped in their 70s. The majority of former drivers (85%) voluntarily stopped driving. The factor most often prompting this decision was a medical issue/change such as a medication change, a reduction in eyesight, etc. (which could be an indication that they may not have had much of a choice in stopping). Still, 65% wish they could still drive (although three in 10 say they don t miss it). While nearly half (47%) say that giving up driving has had no impact on their lives, 31% say it has made their lives worse or much worse. IMPACT OF GIVING UP DRIVING A reduction in their independence (51%) and an increased reliance on family and friends (48%) were the top concerns when surveyed seniors considered no longer driving, similar to current drivers. These concerns were not unfounded, as the primary effects of giving up driving have been an increased reliance on family and friends to get places (61%) and a reduction in seniors independence (54%). Also similar to current senior drivers, former drivers most often felt frustration when they thought about giving up driving. The key difference between these groups is that 22% of these former drivers also felt relief when they thought about giving up driving (compared to 7% of current drivers), which may indicate they were emotionally ready to give up driving. Now that they re not driving, relief is the top emotion that former drivers reportedly feel (23%), followed most closely by frustration (21%). Additionally, 26% of former drivers say giving up driving has reduced their stress/anxiety around driving. CURRENT SOURCES OF TRANSPORT FOR FORMER DRIVERS Approximately three-fourths (76%) of surveyed former drivers say that, since giving up driving, they most often rely on family members who are close by and able to drive. Friends are also an alternative source of transport (40%). - 5 -
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY In North America, Home Instead, Inc. completed telephone interviews with a random sample of 600 seniors in the United States and Canada to explore their thoughts and feelings related to driving cessation. Methodology for the survey was as follows: Home Instead, Inc. completed 15-minute telephone interviews with a random sample of 600 North American seniors (450 in the U.S. and 150 in Canada). Seniors who qualified for the study were required either to have a valid driver s license and currently drive (479), or to have formerly been a driver (121). The surveyed seniors represented the age category of 70 or older. Interviews were conducted between March 1 and March 7, 2016 by Braun Research. LetsTalkAboutDriving.com Each Home Instead Senior Care franchise office is independently owned and operated. - 6 -