Mobility Performance in Older Adults at Different Levels of Health and Independence

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess mobility related physical function of older adults at different levels of health status and independence living in the community, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes using eight well-known performance tests in order to set a bench mark on the continuum of older adults’ performance on these tests for clinical reference. Methods: 648 older adults(≥60 years of age) were studied: 366 residing in the community, 209 in assisted living facilities, and 73 in nursing homes. All participants received health status and performance tests. Heath status assessment included number of comorbidities, body mass index, self-perceived health status, depression, mental status, and physical disability status. Physical function was assessed using eight standard performance tests: grip strength, timed chair stand, functional reach, usual & fast gait speed, timed up & go, six-minute walk, and the Berg Balance Scale. Results: Community dwelling residents exhibited the best overall health and performance and were youngest in age, followed by the assisted living and then the nursing home residents. Age-adjusted means and 95% confidence intervals for each of these tests for each of the groups by gender can be used as benchmarks of health and independence. Most older nursing home residents could not perform the FR and TCS. Conclusions: The age-adjusted means and 95% confidence intervals reported for the eight performance tests in this study can facilitate better interpretation of the tests used to assess mobility-related function in older adults.