Longitudinal changes in life-space mobility and autonomy in participation outdoors among Finnish community-dwelling older adults from pre-COVID-19 to through the pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Among older people, community mobility was reduced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the longer-term changes are unclear.

Aims

To study lower extremity performance and car driving as predictors of changes in older adults' life-space mobility, autonomy in participation outdoors, and the risk of developing restricted life-space mobility from 2017 to 2022.

Methods

Life-space mobility (scoring range 0-120) and autonomy in participation outdoors (scoring range 0-20) were assessed in community-dwelling individuals (n = 657) in 2017-2018 (baseline age 75, 80, or 85 years), during the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020, and in 2021-2022. Lower extremity performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery, and car driving was self-reported

SUBMITTER: Lindeman K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10984880 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature