The Consequences Of Ageism: Conditioning To Life Without Driving

Louw & Louw defines ageism as a form of discrimination and prejudice based on chronological age – especially towards people in late adulthood – that can influence adjustment and well-being in older people to a great extent (2009). Old age is generally seen as a period of foreseeable, inevitable deterioration and health problems, which has serious consequences (Jolanki, 2007).
According to Saisan, White, & Robinson, adjusting to life without driving may be a great challenge at first because people have most likely been driving their whole life. Frustration and anger are normal reactions. Elders may feel ashamed or worry that they are losing their independence. Thus, the decision to stop driving takes a lot of courage (2014).
It has been established …show more content…
Fewer and shorter trips will be taken and most of the time in these circumstances, the elderly become dependent on others for transportation (Burkhardt, 1999). Older drivers make on average six trips per week, where elderly non-drivers make on average two trips (Burkhardt, 1999). When older people cannot drive anymore, they have to deal with changes on many levels including emotional, psychological, social and economic levels (Burkhardt, 1999). Some might argue that elderly people do not have an excuse for immobility because there are various other travel options such as public transport, although, considering the unreliable and unsafe public transport in South Africa and the fact that elderly people are more likely to be prospective victims of crime, especially in Gauteng, one cannot be surprised that they might be hesitant to make use thereof (Hughes, 2014). Elderly people who have access to well-developed public transportation systems and live close to recreational and shopping might be able to explore their options in terms of transportation (Burkhardt, 1999).
Prevention and intervention programs for elderly people should consider the significance of daily hassles and negative life events (Kraaij, Arensman, & Spinhoven, 2002). If an elderly person has experienced numerous stressful events and daily hassles, special attention must be given to such an individual (Kraaij, Arensman, & Spinhoven, …show more content…
This indicates that isolation, low support and loneliness are likely to affect a wide range of systems (Tomaka, Thompson, & Palacios, 2006). An elderly person needs to feel that his/her safety is guaranteed, they need to stay close to other people, especially family and loved ones, and trust that his/her life is still meaningful (Evesham, 2013). Meeting the emotional needs of elderly people can help them avoid psychological distress. Emotional care should aim to deal with issues such as loneliness and vulnerability (Evesham, 2013).
Even when a clear skill decline becomes evident in elderly drivers, they still rate their driving performance as high (Freund, Colgrove, Burke, & McLeod, 2005). They are also less supportive of measures requiring them to renew their driver’s licences to maintain driving privileges (Robertson & Vanlaar, 2008).
Statistics show that elderly drivers are more likely to cause fatal accidents than most age groups accept those under the age of 25 years (Cobb & Coughlin, 1998). This may be due to physical or cognitive decline (Deary, et al.,