Driving Fitness as We Age
Limiting driving or giving it up altogether is not an easy decision for older adults to make. In many areas around the country, transportation alternatives can sometimes be inconvenient and difficult to find. And research has shown older that adults who give up the keys are almost two times more likely to suffer from depression and nearly five times as likely to enter a long-term care facility due to their feeling disconnected from the pleasures of their daily lives.
Older adults who drive less frequently than their counterparts are more likely to report increased fatigue and poor physical functioning, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. These are just a couple of contributing factors that can lead to older drivers turning in their driver’s licenses.
The good news for these drivers and their families is that there are steps drivers can take to improve physical health. Daily exercise and stretching improve physical functioning, but these activities also help drivers to move more freely behind the wheel, to observe the road from all angles, remain alert to potential hazards and perform essential driving functions such as steering.
“Some decline in physical fitness is inevitable as we age,” said Jake Nelson, AAA director of traffic safety advocacy and research. “But, research shows that exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to produce positive results. Even a few minutes at a time can be sufficient. You can spread out the time you spend being physically active over the course of your day and week. Simple steps to keep active can keep you driving safely for longer.”
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends older adults, who are physically able, get between 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise each week or between 75 minutes to 2.5 hours of high-intensity physical activity. The exercises should include balance training as well as aerobic and muscle strengthening. Older adults should consult their doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen. They should also talk with a healthcare provider about ways to combat fatigue. Prioritizing getting at least seven hours of sleep each night can help older adults stay alert behind the wheel.
AAA recommends a series of exercises and stretches to improve neck, shoulder, trunk, back and overall body flexibility. As a leading advocate for senior driver safety, AAA offers many programs and resources to help older adults improve their driving performance. For more information on these resources, such as RoadWise online/classroom courses or other programs that help seniors better “fit” with their vehicles, visit SeniorDriving.AAA.com.
