By 2050, the population of older adults 65 years and above is expected to reach 88 million in the US and 400 million globally. At 65, individuals are projected to live an additional 19 years, and those aged 85 are expected to live another 6 to 7 years. It is estimated that by 2050, 25% of all drivers will be over 65. The importance of driving mobility is accentuated as many older adults continue working beyond the traditional retirement age 65. Driving enables social participation and access to healthcare and supports independence, allowing older adults to age in place. Despite alternatives such as mass transit or e-hailing services, older drivers prefer personal vehicles.
A comprehensive study involving 72,878 participants across 48 studies indicated a global prevalence of 28% for depression among older adults. In the US, the prevalence of depression was 13% in 2022, with higher rates observed in women. Major depressive disorder (MDD) impacts around 8.4% of US adults aged 18 and over. Late-life depression includes both recurrent lifelong illness and late-onset depression, which may arise from biological factors (such as physical decline and comorbidities or acute conditions like strokes) and psychosocial factors (such as bereavement or financial changes). Often undetected, only 39.4% of individuals with late-life depression had received a formal diagnosis by 2022, and many did not seek mental health expertise despite moderate depression symptoms.
Compared to those aged 25-64, older drivers have a higher likelihood of causing traffic accidents. As older adults are driving for more extended periods, the incidence of crashes and related fatalities is expected to rise. Factors contributing to this increased risk include medication side effects, cognitive impairments related to dementia, and depression. Depression can adversely affect cognitive functions crucial for driving, such as reaction time, attention, executive function, and memory. Research has shown that depression significantly correlates with poorer driving performance and a heightened risk of accidents. Studies indicate that depression nearly doubles the odds of being involved in a crash. Our previous research also highlighted that older adults with depression are three times more likely to perform poorly in standardized driving tests.
Most driving studies focus on individuals without depression, assessing driving fitness and crash risk. This study aims to investigate the driving behaviours of older adults with MDD over time, hypothesizing that they will exhibit more pronounced changes in driving patterns, engage in riskier behaviours such as speeding and hard braking, and have fewer outings and trips compared to their healthy, non-depressed counterparts.
More information: Ganesh M. Babulal et al, Major Depressive Disorder and Driving Behavior Among Older Adults, JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.52038
Journal information: JAMA Network Open Provided by JAMA Network
