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thumbnail of Advancing Accessible Air Travel Environments for Aging Canadians – A Scoping Review

Author
Ben Koskowich , Maryam Attef, Chantal Trudel, Shelley Roberts& Cheryl Dalziel
Abstract
While there is evidence to suggest that Canadians over the age of 65 are healthier, more active, and more affluent than past generations of older adults, seniors may experience challenges in air travel due to lack of financial resources or health factors related to the natural process of aging. Such factors, coupled with transportation deficits related to Canadian geography and infrastructure may exclude seniors from engaging in communities beyond their own, whether it be for leisure, work, or health services. Carleton University and the National Research Council have developed a 3-year program to investigate this demographic in air travel with the aim of developing a first-of-its-kind air travel design framework, followed by a demonstration/ proof-of-concept project. Here we share early findings from a rapid scoping review of research focused on older adults in air travel to categorize risks, barriers and opportunities identified by previous researchers.