How keeping mobile reduces isolation

Gemma Bradshaw

Policy Adviser – Communities & Transport

13 October 2011

What is social isolation?

There are 1.2 million people over 50 who are socially excluded.

• Being cut off from the mainstream of society.

• Unable to access things in life that most of society takes for granted.

Transport more than getting from A - B

• 6% of people aged 65 and over leave their home only once a week or less.

• People perceive difficulties getting to amenities without a car:

- 44% doctor/hospital,

- 23% corner shop/supermarket,

-18% post office.

For many driving = independence

Private car travel: It is available at any hour, provides door-to-door transport, and is often seem as a symbol of independence.

“The car gives us freedom and independence… without it life would become very narrow”

For many driving = independence

• 93 year old man living alone

• Worked as an architect in London, now living in a rural area.

• Drives twice a week; to the supermarket and a social event.

• Did not stop at a red light and stopped by the police. Failed a retake of the driving test.

• A nephew can help with some of these journeys.

Appropriate driving interventions

•Enforcement should not be the first conversation about driving.

•People need support to make adaptations.

•There need to be viable alternatives.

Social inclusion and public transport

Public transport: Needs to be available, affordable, accessible and acceptable to be a viable alternative.

“I would not be able to go out after 7pm as there are no buses after that. What a miserable existence in retirement”

Accessible and acceptable: buses

“…parks too far from the kerb. This has caused me to fall at least three times, resulting in a right hip problem. An operation is out of the question as I have osteoarthritis.

…When the driver accelerated as he got to my stop, I was pulled away from the hand rail and slid along the floor to the front on my back and hit my head on the bulkhead. I’m still suffering from back pain to this day.”

Accessible and acceptable: streets

Change One Thing campaign majority of groups identified broken pavements that would most improve their neighbourhood.

•A group in Stockport 4 out of 15 participants had a fall that resulted in hospital treatment.

Road safety & social inclusion connected

• Driving interventions need to be early and focus on choice and control for individuals.

• Road safety professionals need to promote public transport as a viable alternative.

• Safer transport options will mean greater social inclusion for people in later life.

Gemma Bradshaw

Policy Adviser – Communities & Transport

t 020 303 31467 m 07768131123

e gemma.bradshaw@ageuk.org.uk

twitter @gemgemmy

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