Changes in outdoor mobility when becoming alone in the household in old age

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze reported changes in outdoor mobility, increased/unchanged/decreased, for a sample of older people (>62 years) in two regions in Sweden, who have transitioned from a two-person to a single-person household during the two years since the study was conducted. The target group (N=162) consists of all people who had transitioned to a single-person household in a random sample of 2033 people. The predominant results reveal that the stressful life event of transitioning into a single-person household in old age means reduced outdoor mobility for certain sub-groups. All modes of transport are used similarly regardless of reported changes in mobility (except for walking). Our results suggest that society must put more effort into offering good walking conditions, since (a) walking seems to be the most important mode of transport for outdoor mobility and (b) walking is valuated almost as high as car after becoming alone in the household regardless if the population in our study reported unchanged, decreased or increased mobility. Further, illuminating another result, namely that special transport service33Special transport service (STS) is a mandatory transport for municipalities to provide for people with great difficulties in using public transport. Thus to be eligible for this transport usually a medical permit is needed. (STS) came out as especially important for people with increased activity, society also needs to invest in the provision of STS to keep the most vulnerable group of people mobile when other modes of transport are no longer a reality.