Safety Using Public Buses in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities: An Exploratory Study in Two North American...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Urban Planning
• Public Transportation

Background:

• Safe community mobility is crucial for older adults to age in place.
• Public transportation is vital for community engagement, especially for urban older adults with limited driving options.
• Transportation challenges within naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the supports and limitations impacting safe public bus use among older adults in NORCs.
• To understand the ecological factors influencing public transportation accessibility for seniors.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative multiple case study design was employed.
• Data collection involved field observations (45 hours) and semi-structured interviews with 17 NORC residents (age 60+).
• Data analysis utilized a descriptive, thematic approach organized by the framework method.

Main Results:

• Four major themes emerged: impact on others' behavior, obstructed passageways, older riders' self-impact on safety, and space/time orientation.
• Several subthemes further detailed the complexities of public bus use for this demographic.
• Findings highlight environmental and behavioral factors affecting safety.

Conclusions:

• Education and policy changes are recommended to improve public bus safety for older adults.
• Addressing identified themes can enhance community mobility and support aging in place.
• Study findings inform interventions for safer public transit in NORCs.