By BARBARA ANDREA FRANCO BORGES | Director
FINAL PROJECT REPORT
Our project elimated cost as a barrier to getting around town for seniors. Which may improve the mental health of older adults by reducing loneliness and lack of social engagement.
Researchers found that increased use of transportation among older people, equaled 12 percent decline in depression symptoms among those who started taking transport to the programs they were eligible for at the Heliopolis Elderly Center.
Among the depression symptoms that people who took up our trasport bus reported as reduced were “not enjoying life,” trouble sleeping, feeling unhappy, lonely, sad, not motivated or that everything was an effort.
“This study should motivate policymakers from other countries to adopt similar concessionary fare schemes that encourage public transport use, increase social engagement and improve mental health.”
In 2060, the Brazilian population age 65 or older is projected to reach 58.5 million people, according to the Brazilian Census Bureau.
The likelihood of older adults living alone increases as they age, and past research has shown that older people who stay engaged in activities have better physical and mental health than those who are isolated and lonely. A lack of social engagement can trigger mental health problems and chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, in this population.
Nevertheless, because of Covid-19 all of our activities have moved online and we no longer use our small vans to take our seniors from one place to another for this reason we are de-activating our program.
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