title: Older Adults' Perceptions of Mobility: A Metasynthesis of Qualitative Studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Optimal mobility is an important element of healthy aging. Yet, older adults' perceptions of mobility and mobility preservation are not well understood. The purposes of our study were to (a) identify studies that report older adults' perceptions of mobility, (b) conduct a standardized methodological quality assessment, and (c) conduct a metasynthesis of the identified studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included studies with community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years, focused on perceptions of mobility pertaining to everyday functioning, used qualitative methods, and were cited in PubMed, Embase, CINAHLPlus, or Geobase databases. Study quality was appraised using the McMaster University Tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 748 studies identified, 12 met inclusion criteria. Overall quality of the studies was variable. Metasynthesis produced 3 overarching themes: (a) mobility is part of sense of self and feeling whole, (b) assisted mobility is fundamental to living, and (c) adaptability is key to moving forward.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older adults' perceptions of mobility can inform interventions that would involve actively planning for future mobility needs and enhance the acceptance of the changes, both to the older adult and the perceived response to changes by those around them.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, College of Health and Human Sciences, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina. Center for Healthy Aging, Mountain Area Health Education Center, Asheville, NC. rtgoins@wcu.edu.
authors.forename: R Turner
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Goins
authors.affiliation: Division of Informatics, Health Systems & Leadership, College of Nursing, University of Colorado, Aurora.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Puget Sound Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schure
authors.affiliation: Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Dori E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.affiliation: Medicine/Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Phelan
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Library, University of Washington, Seattle.
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dodson
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Division of Physical Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
authors.forename: Dina L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Adaptation; Environment; Independence; Mobility; Self-identity; Social connection