Predictors of driving cessation in community-dwelling older adults: A 3-year longitudinal study

Older adults eventually stop driving at a certain point. Driving cessation in older adults can have negative outcomes such as less social involvement, depression, social isolation, and even death. With the growing number of older adults, issues related to driving cessation must be carefully examined. However, little information is available on the driving habits of older adults in Korea. The purpose of this study is to examine the rate of driving cessation, and to identify predictors of driving cessation over three years in community-dwelling older adults in Korea. Open data from the National Survey on Korean Older Persons conducted in the years 2008 and 2011 were used for baseline and 3-year follow-up comparisons, respectively. The driving status of participants who were driving in 2008 was tracked in 2011. A total of 716 older drivers ages 65 years and over were selected. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of driving cessation in 2011. Over a 3-year period, the rate of driving cessation was 17.9% (n = 128). Factors associated with driving cessation were advanced age, living in an urban area, weaker handgrip strength, depression, and impaired cognition. Healthcare professionals should make assessments and develop interventions to improve overall functions needed to maintain driving ability in older adults.