title: Defining community ambulation from the perspective of the older adult.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known regarding destinations and distances necessary for independent community ambulation after enactment of the Americans with Disability Act.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To qualitatively describe community locations visited by older adults and to determine ambulation distance required to visit these locations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen subjects, 65 years or older and who were independent with transportation, ambulation, and basic activities of daily living, were recruited from 4 senior centers in urban areas of central Alabama. The study was divided into 2 phases. In part 1, using qualitative methodology, older adults were interviewed to determine locations they visited in the community. In part 2, we visited the types of locations identified in part 1 and measured distances required to conduct business at each location. Obstacles, if any, to reaching these locations were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects had a mean age of 76.6 (5.8) years; 80% were women, and 50% lived alone in the community. Locations visited by subjects were identified and measured. Researchers categorized locations as essential, essential to some people, and nonessential. Essential locations included bank, doctor's office, and either a grocery store, pharmacy, and department store or a "superstore". A minimum of approximately 200 m was required for community ambulation to most locations, although this distance varied significantly among locations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Geographic location and urban setting may not reflect distances necessary for rural residents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical therapists can use the 200-m distance as a starting point for goal-setting for older adults desiring a return to community independence.
authors: Birmingham/Atlanta VA Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA. cbrownmd@uab.edu
authors: Cynthia J
authors: CJ
authors: Brown
authors: Christy
authors: C
authors: Bradberry
authors: Shalaney Green
authors: SG
authors: Howze
authors: Lindsay
authors: L
authors: Hickman
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Ray
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Peel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D016138:Walking