title: Factors impacting the household and recreation participation of older adults living in the community.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify demographic, physical and psychosocial determinants associated with participation in daily activities of community-dwelling older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional design of older adults (≥70 years) from Victoria, Australia, residing in their homes was drawn from a convenience sample. The outcomes were recent participation in household and recreational activities as measured by the Phone-FITT. Explanatory variables included demographics, physical and mental health functioning (Short Form-12 version 2, Geriatric Depression Scale 15). Associations were analyzed through linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 244 participants (60% female), with a mean age of 77.5 years (SD 5.7). Higher levels of depression and fewer falls (during the previous year) were independently associated with restrictions in household participation (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). For recreational participation, higher levels of depression were associated with restricted participation (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screening for depression should be a key component of health assessments with older adults. Untreated depression may lead to lower participation rates in daily activities potentially resulting in social isolation. Fewer falls and restricted household participation were associated, but no association was observed between falls and recreational participation. Further studies are required to explore this association in more detail. Implications for Rehabilitation Depression is significantly correlated with the level of participation in daily activities for older adults. Health professionals need to screen for depression when working with older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Monash University , Peninsula Campus, Melbourne , Australia .
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pritchard
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Lindy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Clemson
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haines
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011998:Recreation; D012934:Social Isolation; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Activities of daily living; depression; older adults; social participation