Understanding Mobility Needs for Older Adults in Wisconsin

092-21-65The Wisconsin Department of Health Services predicts a 72% increase in the population aged 65 and older in the state by 2040, indicating a growing demand for alternative transportation services. To address this need and support healthy aging, this research project was conducted to gather data on the travel patterns, challenges, and recommendations of older adults, as well as the perspectives of transportation service providers in Wisconsin. Through surveys distributed to older adults, 1650 valid responses were collected from various counties and tribes, along with 103 transportation service providers participating in the survey. The findings revealed a preference for self-driving and reliance on friends and family for transportation, limited use of local public and private services, and concerns about schedule availability and route choices. The study also highlighted a potential digital divide among older adults in terms of information technology usage. These insights offer valuable recommendations to enhance transportation services for older adults in Wisconsin based on the research findings