| Having to relinquish driving privileges can be a traumatic event for older women. To understand the impact of driving cessation from the perspective of these women, I conducted individual interviews with eleven women age seventy years of age or older and had ceased driving within two years of being interviewed. The findings confirmed that driving cessation results in a loss of independence and spontaneity, and, for some, social isolation and loneliness. For most of the women in this study, the level of out-of-home activities after driving cessation was sharply diminished, including their ability to go shopping, participate in social activities, and visit with family and friends. For most of the women, public transit was not an option and providing transportation was mostly limited to family or friends. For some, paid home helpers and taxi were also options. The results indicated that preparing for driving cessation appeared to reduce the negative impact of becoming a non-driver. Although some of the women were interested in driving cessation programs, no such programs currently exist in Prince Edward Island. The study confirmed the findings of other researchers that driving cessation negatively impacted on the women's ability to continue participating in out-of-home activities. There was an evident difference between the women's ability to continue to participate in activities they "need to do" versus their ability to participate in activities they "want to do." Self-effacement, loss of spontaneity, and the need to maintain self-worth were explored. This study indicates that driving cessation, whether voluntary or non-voluntary, has a negative impact on quality of life of older women. However, this negative impact can be reduced through education programs for women and their families about planning for driving cessation and through the provision of alternative transportation options. |
