Impacts of Aging Travelers on Airports (2014)

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4 As noted previously, it has been well documented that the proportion, as well as the actual number, of older persons in the United States is increasing at a faster rate than in the general population. The Administration on Aging estimates the number of people over 65 years of age will increase from approximately 40 million in 2010 to 70 million by the year 2030, and from 13% to 19% of the population. It is interesting to note that according to the European Commis- sion Economic and Financial Affairs Department’s Aging Report, the percentage of elderly persons in the European population is already higher than that in the United States, with levels above 16%, which may account for the apparently greater focus on elderly issues in European airport terminal design. Figure 7 from the U.S. Census Bureau Age and Sex Com- position Report—2010 illustrates the growth in the percent- age of persons over 65 from 9% in 1960 to 13% in 2010 (see Figure 1). Significantly, the number of those between 45 and 65 years of age—the future elderly, so to speak—has increased from 20.3% to 26.4% over the same period. The U.S. Travel Association notes that mature travelers, those born before 1946, account for 21% of all leisure travelers, making four trips a year on average; and 14% of all busi- ness passengers, making approximately eight trips a year. It is also expected that the proportion of older travelers choos- ing to fly will increase as a result of increased affluence and education levels. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OLDER TRAVELER The main explanations for the increase in the number of air travelers over aged 65 are that the post-war “baby boomer” generation is reaching retirement age, and that people are generally living longer. This may suggest that elderly per- sons are healthier than in the past, and in some respects they are. However, according to the paper, “The Normal Aging Process” (Leading Age Wisconsin), there is an increase in the prevalence of a number of chronic diseases among the elderly, such as diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension. It is these ailments, even in their early stages, that are most likely to impact an older traveler’s ability to navigate an airport terminal. A general deterioration in some physical and mental func- tions can be expected with advancing years. Mobility and stamina can be impaired by a variety of muscular/skeletal problems and respiratory conditions, and eyesight and hear- ing generally decline. Elderly persons tend to be less flexible than they were in their youth and can often be in denial about not having the same capabilities they had formerly. The psychological effects of aging cannot be overlooked either: According to the article, “Psychosocial Changes with Aging” (Pearson Higher Education n.d.), the elderly are more risk- averse and anxiety-prone, which can result in difficulty with decision making, particularly under the pressure of an unfa- miliar environment. It is important to recognize there is no such thing as a typi- cal elderly person. Just because a person may be limited in one particular respect does not mean he/she is not fully capa- ble in others. There are also different “generations” of elderly people (see Figure 2). For example, many of the “younger” seniors are more capable of dealing with technology than their older predecessors. The same article quoted in the pre- vious paragraph notes that although some brain functions in areas such as math do decline with age, others, including vocabulary skills, may actually improve. Symptoms of aging and early onset limitations may hinder travelers in their 50s, while those who are still traveling in their upper 80s and beyond may be less affected. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND THE AIR CARRIER ACCESS ACT The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a dis- abled person as one with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activi- ties. Although not necessarily fitting this description, the majority of elderly persons may benefit from some of the stipulations of ADA, such as more ample toilet stalls, auto- matic doors, and pedestrian routes without staircases. On the other hand, many older travelers do have physical or mental limitations that, although not classifying them as disabled, may cause difficulties in navigating an airport terminal. The Air Carrier Access Act essentially prohibits discrimi- nation on the basis of disability in airport terminals, parking garages, and ground transportation. This basically requires enabling a disabled passenger to use the airport facilities without hindrance and ensuring that any assistance that may be chapter two THE AGING TRAVELER

5 necessary, such as wheelchairs, is provided. The airlines have generally taken responsibility for the journey from check-in to the aircraft, from gate to gate for connecting passengers, and from the aircraft to bag claim or ground transportation. Increasingly, there are other situations where wheelchairs may be requested, such as from parking facilities into the terminal; and the airport often steps in to provide them. FIGURE 1 U.S. Census Bureau Age and Sex Composition—2010. FIGURE 2 Elderly travelers (Corgan).