Mobility and Aging: Transference to Transportation

Mobility is fundamental to everyday life and is critical to an understanding of the health and well-being of older populations. The construct of mobility focuses on the ability of individuals to meet the challenges of the environment given their capabilities associated with movement within and between environments. Mobility can also be characterized by its form including transferring from bed to a chair, walking and ambulation, engaging in activities associated with independence, work, leisure-time activities, driving a car, and using various forms of passenger transport (William Satariano, personal communication, April 24, 2011). It is a central tenet of successful aging [1] and healthy aging [2]. CDC's Healthy Aging Research Network defines healthy aging as “the development and maintenance of optimal physical, mental, and social well-being and function in older adults. It is most easily achieved when physical environments and communities are safe and support the adoption and maintenance of attitudes and behaviors known to promote health and well-being and when health services and community programs are used effectively to prevent or minimize the impact of acute and chronic disease on function” [2].