TRANSPORTATION USE AND ACCESSIBILITY AMONG PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA WHO RESIDE ALONE IN THE COMMUNITY - -

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi

Transportation access is a critical component of independent living and community engagement, especially for older adults with cognitive impairment. An exploratory descriptive study examined how community-dwelling people with dementia who live alone navigate transportation needs using data from an NIH-funded protocol. Semi-structured interviews with participants and collaterals (N=96) showed most stopped driving, relying on public transit, paratransit, ride-sharing, and informal networks that were often unavailable or underused. Barriers included cognitive and physical limitations, lack of dementia-sensitive services, and geographic constraints; results highlight dementia-sensitive transportation planning, staff training, flexible scheduling, and links to community-based support services to promote autonomy and reduce isolation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Key transportation challenges for individuals with dementia who live alone

Stopped driving and reliance on alternatives

Barriers: cognitive/physical limits, service gaps, geographic constraints

Desired community engagement and service access needs

Implications for dementia-sensitive transportation planning

FAQs

What study question does the document address?

How people with dementia who live alone in the community use transportation and how accessible transportation options are for them.

What did the interviews reveal about transportation behaviors and options?

Most participants had stopped driving, and alternative options like public transit, paratransit, ride-sharing, and informal support were inconsistently available or underutilized.

What barriers prevented participants from accessing transportation and essential services?

Cognitive and physical limitations, lack of dementia-sensitive services, and geographic constraints limited access to essential services, social activities, and healthcare.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi