Perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic and life-space mobility in older adults.

Autor: Cenko E; Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA., Manini TM; Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA., Smail EJ; Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society [J Am Geriatr Soc] 2024 Nov; Vol. 72 (11), pp. 3448-3456. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 12.
DOI: 10.1111/jgs.19118
Abstrakt: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the physical health of older adults around the world, causing day-to-day disruptions in routines and changes to usual patterns of mobility. Despite the passing of 2 years since vaccinations, older adults continue to experience detriments, including social isolation and reduced mobility. This study aims to understand how views of the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with life-space mobility-moving about the community. We hypothesize that endorsing stronger perspectives about the persistence of COVID-19 is correlated with reduced life-space mobility.
Methods: Survey data were collected via online questionnaire in October and November of 2022. Linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between five perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., agreeing that "I wish people would take COVID-19 more seriously") and life-space mobility, measured using a modified version of the life space assessment, in older adults (n = 510). Analyses were adjusted for demographic factors and mental and physical health indicators, including depressive symptoms and number of chronic conditions.
Results: In fully adjusted models, the study found that endorsing a stronger lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across any of the five perspectives was associated with significantly lower life-space mobility.
Conclusions: The results of this study show that endorsing a stronger lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with reduced life-space mobility, which underscores the importance of designing public health strategies that carefully balance the safety concerns of older adults with opportunities for physical activity and social interaction.
(© 2024 The American Geriatrics Society.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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