Gender and transportation access among community-dwelling seniors

This study estimates the prevalence of problems with transportation in a sample of community-dwelling seniors residing in an urban setting and investigates the role that gender plays in the ability of seniors to remain mobile in their communities.

Data collected as part of a study assessing the prevalence and consequences of unmet needs for community-based services in a random sample of 839 elderly aged 75 years and older were employed in bivariate and multivariable analyses.

The prevalence of problems with transportation was 23 per cent, with 33 per cent of females and 10 per cent of males categorized as having problems with transportation. Of those subjects categorized as having problems with transportation, 88 per cent were women. In addition to being predominantly women, those who reported problems with transportation were older, in poorer health, and had lower income and income satisfaction.

Problems with transportation are an important issue facing seniors; women, in particular. These results highlight the differences in aging as experienced by women and men with respect to social effects, needs, and the significance attached to the experience.