Abstract
Objective:
To present the results of an orientation program for elderly drivers which emphasized practices of self-care. The secondary objective was to describe the personal difficulties and environmental challenges identified by participants when driving a vehicle.
Method:
An intervention study of elderly drivers was performed. It included individual interviews, an orientation program and a focus group session.
Results:
A total of 13 elderly persons, aged between 62 and 82, participated in the study. Seven (54%) reported difficulties in driving, of whom five (71.4%) mentioned difficulties in interacting with the environment; three (42.9%) described emotional difficulties and three (42.9%) cited physical, sensory and/or cognitive difficulties. In the focus group session, the elderly persons reflected on factors addressed during the program that interfered with the act of driving, reporting that they had increased their self-care practices to cope with these. A majority of the participants identified the influence of attention deficits and the adverse effect of emotional issues when driving a vehicle. In terms of conditions relating to the social and physical environment, the elderly persons criticized the uncontrolled growth of traffic, mentioned their concerns about other drivers and pointed out deficiencies in the mechanisms of education, traffic control and punishment of traffic violations. They also discussed potential changes to encourage the mobility of pedestrians, a condition also experienced by the drivers.
Conclusion:
The elderly persons elucidated the importance of orientation in self-care practices, highlighting the importance of a dialogue between professionals and the elderly to discuss a wide range of practices related to factors that affect vehicle driving in order to maintain safety when driving for as long as possible.
Key words:
Accidents Traffic; Self Care; Automobile Driving; Elderly.