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Transportation Problems of the Rural Elderly: A Needs Assessment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Peter R. Grant  and
Bruce Rice
Peter R. Grant
Affiliation:
University of Saskatchewan
Bruce Rice
Affiliation:
Senior Citizen's Provincial Council
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Abstract

A mail-out survey method was used to assess the transportation needs of seniors living in relatively remote rural areas of Saskatchewan. In all 1675 questionnaires were returned for an 87% return rate. Results showed that the transportation-disadvantaged were very old widowed women living alone on a small income in a village or small town who were particularly likely to be lonely, in poor health, and physically frail. Two types of transportation needs were identified: the need to make local trips at least once a week and the need for transportation to a district centre at least once a month. Examples of volunteer, locally-run transportation systems that might meet these needs and be cost-effective are reviewed.

Résumé

Nous avons utilisé une méthode d'enquête par correspondance en vue d'obtenir des données sur les besoins en transport des personnes âgées isolées vivant dans les régions rurales éloignées en Saskatchewan. Sur l'ensemble des questionnaires distribués, 1 675 ont été retournés, soit 87%. Les résultats indiquent que les personnes les plus désavantagées sont les veuves très âgées, à faible revenu, qui vivent seules dans un village ou une petite ville et sont souvent fragiles ou en mauvaise santé. Leurs besoins se répartissent en deux groupes: besoin de se déplacer dans un rayon immédiat, et besoin d'avoir accés à un grand centre. Nous passons en revue les utilisations qui peuvent être faites du bénévolat et des moyens de transport locaux en vue de répondre à ces besoins et nous en étudions les incidences économiques.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 2 , Issue 3 , November 1983 , pp. 107 - 124
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1983

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