Residential modifications and decline in physical function among community-dwelling older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to quantify the effect of residential modification on decreasing risk of physical function decline in 2 years.


METHODS
Cohort study using propensity scores method to control for baseline differences between individuals with residential modifications and those without residential modifications.


METHODS
Participants (N = 9,447) were from the Second Longitudinal Study on Aging, a nationally representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population, aged 70 years and older in the United States at the time of baseline interview in 1994-1995.


METHODS
Participants self-reported residential modifications at baseline (e.g., railings, bathroom modifications). Decline in physical functioning was measured by comparing self-reported activities of daily living at baseline and at 2-year follow-up.


RESULTS
Compared with individuals without baseline modifications, a higher proportion of those with baseline modifications were aged 85 years and older (16% vs. 10%), used special aides (36% vs. 14%), and lived alone (40% vs. 31%). Using a weighted propensity score method, we found a modest decrease in risk of decline at Wave 2 for those with baseline modifications (risk difference = 3.1%). Respondents with a baseline residential modification were less likely to experience subsequent decline in functional ability (adjusted odds ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval = 0.79-0.97) after adjusting for quintile of propensity score in a survey-weighted regression model.


CONCLUSIONS
Baseline modifications may be associated with reduced risk of decline among a nationally representative sample of older community-dwelling adults. Widespread adoption of residential modifications may reduce the overall population estimates of decline.
Department of Community Health, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI 02903, USA. sze_liu@brown.edu
Sze Y
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Kate L
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Lapane
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D012112:Residential Facilities; D014481:United States