Abstract
Increasing numbers of older people relocate into senior housing when their physical performance declines. The change in social environment is known to affect their wellbeing, providing both challenges and opportunities, but more information on the relations between social and physical parameters is required. Thus, we elicited perceptions of the social environment of 81 older people (aged 59–93 years, living in northern Finland) and changes in it 3 and 12 months after relocation to senior housing. We also measured their physical performance, then analysed associations between the social and physical variables. Participants reported that they had freedom to do whatever they liked and generally had enough contact with close people (which have recognized importance for older people’s wellbeing), but changes in their physical condition limited their social activity. Moreover, their usual walking speed, dominant hand’s grip strength and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) significantly decreased. The pleasantness of the residential community, peer support, constraints on social activity imposed by changes in physical condition, meaningful activity at home and meeting close people all affected these physical performance parameters. Clearly, in addition to assessing physical performance and encouraging regular exercise, the complex interactions among social factors, physical performance and wellbeing should be considered when addressing individuals’ needs.
Highlights
When their physical performance declines, growing numbers of older people are relocating to senior housing, which provides customised environments for senior citizens with reduced functional capacities [1,2,3]
It is important to consider the needs of older people with varying levels of frailty and physical capacity, those who can readily participate in group activities and move outside their home independently [23]
Increases in peer support and meaningful activities at home were associated with reductions in dominant hand’s grip strength, and increases in meeting close people were associated with reductions in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) performance
Summary
When their physical performance declines, growing numbers of older people are relocating to senior housing, which provides customised environments for senior citizens with reduced functional capacities [1,2,3]. Data on participants’ background variables, IADL performance, grip strength and lower body strength were collected using the Oldwellactive questionnaire designed to elicit elderly people’s perceptions of their wellbeing and wellness [25] Their IADL limitations were measured using 11 items from a previously published IADL scale [26], asking “Do you cope independently with the following task?” (heavy housework such as washing the windows and house cleaning, ordinary housework, outdoor activities, shopping, finances, medicines, cooking, dressing, personal hygiene, bathing, using the toilet).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International journal of environmental research and public health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
