Life-Space Mobility and Active Aging as Factors Underlying Quality of Life Among Older People Before and During COVID-19 Lockdown in Finland-A Longitudinal Study.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci
; 76(3): e60-e67, 2021 02 25.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1104882
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Social distancing, that is, avoiding places with other people and staying at home, was recommended to prevent viral transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Potentially, reduced out-of-home mobility and lower activity levels among older people may lower their quality of life (QOL). We studied cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of and changes in life-space mobility, active aging, and QOL during COVID-19 social distancing compared to 2 years before.METHODS:
Altogether 809 community-living participants initially aged 75, 80, or 85 years of our active aging study (AGNES) conducted in 2017-2018 took part in the current AGNES-COVID-19 survey in May and June 2020. Outdoor mobility was assessed with the Life-Space Assessment (range 0-120). Active approach to life was assessed with the University of Jyväskylä Active Aging Scale (range 0-272), and QOL with the shortened Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (range13-65; higher scores better for all). Data were analyzed with General Estimating Equations, General Linear Models, and One-way analysis of variance.RESULTS:
Life-space mobility (B -10.8, SE 0.75, p < .001), the active aging score (B -24.1, SE 0.88, p < .001), and the QOL score (B -1.65, SE 0.21, p < .001) were lower during COVID-19 social distancing versus 2 years before. Concurrent life-space mobility and active aging scores, age, and sex explained 48% of QOL at the baseline and 42% during social distancing. Longitudinally, steeper declines in all 3 variables coincided.CONCLUSION:
The observed declines indicate compliance with social distancing recommendation, but underline the importance of participation in meaningful life situations as a factor underlying good QOL also during the COVID-19 pandemic.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Quality of Life
/
Activities of Daily Living
/
Geriatric Assessment
/
Physical Distancing
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci
Journal subject:
Geriatrics
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Gerona
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