Abstract Driving cessation, often due to health-related changes, can be a particularly challenging and troublesome transition in older adulthood that can lead to social isolation. While policy makers have long recognized the potential impact of an aging population on Canada's health care and national pension plans, the transportation needs of older adults have received relatively less attention. For older adults residing in small towns and rural areas who rely, more often than not, on the personal automobile there is usually limited or no access to public transportation. For policy makers to respond effectively to the transportation needs of an aging population, particularly those living in rural areas, the first step is to understand the travel behaviours of older adults living in such areas, particularly as they approach the transition when they will cease to drive. This paper reports on qualitative research exploring the driving-related challenges and needs faced by older adults in small towns and rural areas near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Results revealed four major themes: lack of transportation options in rural areas, changes in driving behaviours, the lack of planning for driving cessation, and the social isolation that comes from the loss (or potential loss) of one's driver's license.

中文翻译：

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开车还是不开车：加拿大农村和小城镇老年人戒酒

摘要 通常由于与健康相关的变化而停止驾驶，在成年期可能是一个特别具有挑战性和麻烦的过渡，可能导致社会孤立。虽然政策制定者早就认识到人口老龄化对加拿大医疗保健和国家养老金计划的潜在影响，但老年人的交通需求却相对较少受到关注。对于居住在小城镇和农村地区的老年人来说，他们通常依赖私人汽车，公共交通工具通常有限或无法使用。政策制定者要有效应对老龄化人口的交通需求，尤其是生活在农村地区的人，首先要了解生活在这些地区的老年人的出行行为，特别是当他们接近过渡时，他们将不再开车。本文报告了定性研究，探讨了加拿大安大略省汉密尔顿附近小城镇和农村地区老年人面临的与驾驶相关的挑战和需求。结果揭示了四个主要主题：农村地区缺乏交通选择、驾驶行为的变化、缺乏停止驾驶的计划以及因驾驶执照丢失（或潜在丢失）而导致的社会孤立。