Correlates of life space in a volunteer cohort of older adults.
The authors measured the spatial extent of movement of older persons (i.e., life space) and examined factors that are related to life space. A larger life space was positively correlated with self-report measures of disability. In generalized logit models adjusted for demographics and time of year, a larger life space was associated with less visual impairment, higher levels of lower extremity motor performance, global cognition, and social involvement, and with personality and purpose in life. The results suggest that the range of environmental movement in older adults is a useful indicator of health in old age and may complement measures of disability.
Barnes
Lisa L
LL
Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. Lisa_L_Barnes@rush.edu
Wilson
Robert S
RS
Bienias
Julia L
JL
de Leon
Carlos F Mendes
CF
Kim
Hye-Jin Nicole
HJ
Buchman
Aron S
AS
Bennett
David A
DA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D010550:Personal Space; D004856:Postural Balance; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D014792:Visual Acuity