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The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mobility Needs of an Aging Population in Contra Costa County

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  • Ragland, David R PhD, MPH
  • Schor, Glenn PhD, MPH
  • Felschundneff, Grace

Abstract

In 2018, SafeTREC conducted a survey on transportation mobility issues among older adults in California. A follow-up survey planned for 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic changed life for all residents, was redesigned to assess mobility needs and changes during the Shelter-in-Place order and focused on COVID-19 impacts. Results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent Shelter-in-Place order have had a major impact on senior mobility. Communications for many were restricted to phone, email, texts, social media and video chats. Among those with a medical problem, just over 60% called a doctor or nurse line or went to a doctor’s office, while 11.2% went to an emergency room, and 8.6% did nothing. A total of 8% of respondents said they had run out of food or other important items during the Shelter-in-Place order. Rates of exercise outside the home dropped 20% between January and June 2020, and while over 60% sought outside entertainment in January 2020, by June 2020, nearly 70% accessed their entertainment online at home. Almost 80% of working respondents feared spreading or contracting COVID-19 because of their work or related transportation. Almost 20% felt a lack of companionship or closeness sometimes or often. Over 30% were worried about their current or long-term finances. A total of 84.5% strongly agreed or agreed that the Shelter-in-Place order was necessary. None of the respondents to the follow-up survey were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 88.2% were not concerned about risk of exposure from any member of their household.

Suggested Citation

  • Ragland, David R PhD, MPH & Schor, Glenn PhD, MPH & Felschundneff, Grace, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mobility Needs of an Aging Population in Contra Costa County," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt8kb9s9wt, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt8kb9s9wt
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    1. Richard A. Marottoli & Carlos F. Mendes de Leon & Thomas A. Glass & Christianna S. Williams & Leo M. Cooney & Lisa F. Berkman, 2000. "Consequences of Driving Cessation," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 55(6), pages 334-340.
    2. Jerri D. Edwards & Lesley A. Ross & Michelle L. Ackerman & Brent J. Small & Karlene K. Ball & Stacy Bradley & Joan E. Dodson, 2008. "Longitudinal Predictors of Driving Cessation Among Older Adults From the ACTIVE Clinical Trial," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 63(1), pages 6-12.
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    Keywords

    Medicine and Health Sciences; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Mobility; accessibility; aged; travel behavior; surveys; demographics; communicable diseases; public health; COVID-19;
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