Winter Presents Barriers To Physical And Social Activity In Functionally Impaired Older Adults

Abstract

PURPOSE We aimed to quantify the extent of changes in physical and social activity in the winter for older adults in Toronto, Canada, and to determine what accounts for any winter difficulties revealed. METHODS Interviewer-administered surveys (including instruments assessing balance confidence, health status, social network, loneliness, dependence, fall history, fear of falling, and items probing how weather affects health, mobility, clothing, attitudes, excursions, transportation and social satisfaction) were completed with 30 older adults (73% female, aged 65–96 yrs.) in the Greater Toronto Area. Correlational analyses were conducted; only associations with r >0.50 are reported here. RESULTS Many subjects reported that winter does not adversely affect their physical and social lives, while others reported marked reductions in their physical and social activity in the winter. On a nice day, fewer excursions from home per week were correlated with increased age and dependence (r = 0.52, 0.60, respectively). During moderately cold weather, reduced excursions were associated with increased age, increased dependence, reduced balance confidence, and worse physical health (r = 0.51–0.66). Reduced excursions during very cold weather were associated with reduced balance confidence and increased dependence (r = 0.51, 0.59, respectively). Those limiting their activities when the weather is very cold also reported feeling more shut-in, more alone, less satisfied with their social life during winter, and that they would prefer to get out more during the winter than they do (r = 0.50–0.56). Those who limit their activities when it is icy or snowy also reported limiting their activities during very cold weather, being more careful while walking outside during icy/snowy weather, and that winter attire is either heavy, and/or difficult to manage because of problems with dexterity, flexibility or the time it takes to don it (r = 0.51–0.67). Difficulty with winter attire also associated with avoiding stairs lacking a handrail (r = 0.58–0.62), indicating that those who have trouble with winter attire are likely to be those hesitant in challenging mobility environments. Participants using rollators reported that the device is less effective in snowy/icy weather. CONCLUSIONS Winter presents difficulties for older adults with reduced functional capacity, even when the weather is not snowy/icy, but simply cold. Worse, items necessary to cope with winter weather conditions (winter clothing, footwear and assistive mobility devices) are barriers to physical activity and social participation in the winter among older adults experiencing functional limitations.