Environmental Demands Associated With Community Mobility in Older Adults With and Without Mobility Disabilities

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 670-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Shumway-Cook ◽  
Aftab E Patla ◽  
Anita Stewart ◽  
Luigi Ferrucci ◽  
Marcia A Ciol ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Purpose. In this study, the influence of 8 dimensions of the physical environment on mobility in older adults with and without mobility disability was measured. This was done in order to identify environmental factors that contribute to mobility disability. Subjects. Subjects were 36 older adults (≥70 years of age) who were recruited from 2 geographic sites (Seattle, Wash, and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada) and were grouped according to level of mobility function (physically able [ability to walk ½ mile (0.8 km) or climb stairs without assistance], physically disabled). Methods. Subjects were observed and videotaped during 3 trips into the community (trip to grocery store, physician visit, recreational trip). Frequency of encounters with environmental features within each of the 8 dimensions was recorded. Differences in baseline characteristics and environmental encounters were analyzed using an analysis of variance or the Fisher exact test, as appropriate. Results. Mobility disability among older adults was not associated with a uniform decrease in encounters with environmental challenges across all dimensions. Environmental dimensions that differed between subjects who were physically able and those with physical disability included temporal factors, physical load, terrain, and postural transition. Dimensions that were not different included distance, density, ambient conditions (eg, light levels and weather conditions), and attentional demands. Discussion and Conclusion. Understanding the relationship of the environment to mobility is crucial to both prevention and rehabilitation of mobility disability in older adults. Among older adults, certain dimensions of the environment may disable community mobility more than others.

1999 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aftab E. Patla ◽  
Anne Shumway-Cook

Mobility, the ability to move independently, is critical to maintaining independence and quality of life. Among older adults, mobility disability results when an individual cannot meet the demands of the environment. Current approaches to defining mobility rely on distance and time measures, or decompose mobility into subtasks (e.g., climbing, sit to stand), but provide limited understanding of mobility in the elderly. In this paper, a new conceptual framework identifies the critical environmental factors, or dimensions, that operationally define mobility within a given community, such as ambient conditions (light levels, weather conditions) and terrain characteristics (stairs, curbs). Our premise is that the environment and the individual conjointly determine mobility disability. Mobility in the elderly is defined not by the number of tasks a person can or cannot perform, but by the range of environmental contexts in which tasks can be safely carried out: the more disabled, the more restrictive the dimensions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Horatius Musembi Malilu ◽  
Deborah Sundin

The objective was to identify factors leading to falls and determine the role of nurses and carers play in falls prevention. A retrospective audit of the performance of nurses and carers regarding falls prevention among older adults was used. Residents who had a fall during July 2015 (n=25) were identified using purposeful sampling. Data for this study were collected from the files of these residents. Data analysis was done by using the Fisher exact test which was appropriate for the collected data. Residents aged 85-89 years had the most falls (32%); however, one resident who fell five times in the studied month was aged 90 years. Residents aged 70-74 years had the lowest number of falls (8%). Twenty-two (88%) of the residents who fell were incontinent, 20 (80%) were confused, 19 (76%) were using walking aids and four (16%) were blind. Only five (20%) residents who reported falls in the studied month were independent. Most falls occurred among residents of advanced age, and among those who had incontinence, were confused and failed to use walking aids. Residential home staff should increase vigilance during specific times and monitors closely residents with a high risk of falls.


2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 2361-2370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Zhu ◽  
Christian Duval ◽  
Patrick Boissy ◽  
Manuel Montero-Odasso ◽  
Guangyong Zou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Real-life community mobility (CM) measures for older adults, especially those with Parkinson’s disease (PD), are important tools when helping individuals maintain optimal function and quality of life. This is one of the first studies to compare an objective global positioning system (GPS) sensor and subjective self-report CM measures in an older clinical population. Methods Over 14 days, 54 people in Ontario, Canada with early to mid-stage PD (mean age = 67.5 ± 6.3 years; 47 men; 46 retired) wore a wireless inertial measurement unit with GPS (WIMU-GPS), and completed the Life Space Assessment and mobility diaries. We assessed the convergent validity, reliability and agreement on mobility outcomes using Spearman’s correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman analyses, respectively. Results Convergent validity was attained by the WIMU-GPS for trip frequency (rs = .69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52–0.81) and duration outside (rs = .43, 95% CI = 0.18–0.62), but not for life space size (rs = .39, 95% CI = 0.14–0.60). The Life Space Assessment exhibited floor and ceiling effects. Moderate agreements were observed between WIMU-GPS and diary for trip frequency and duration (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.51–0.82; 0.67, 95% CI = 0.42–0.82, respectively). Disagreement was more common among nonretired individuals. Conclusions WIMU-GPS could replace diaries for trip frequency and duration assessments in older adults with PD. Both assessments are best used for retired persons. However, the Life Space Assessment may not reflect actual mobility.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Moustafa ◽  
Dennis Hopkinson ◽  
Karen E. Huang ◽  
Steve Feldman

Background The prevalence of rosacea is poorly characterized. Because selection bias may affect prevalence estimates, there is a need to characterize the prevalence of rosacea outside the clinic setting. Objective To assess the prevalence of rosacea in community settings. Methods A clinical research fellow and a medical student stood in public places (a mall, the Department of Motor Vehicles, a grocery store) and examined consecutive individuals who passed by ≤ 2 yards away. They tallied demographic and descriptive data on the subject and included the subject in one of three categories: clearly rosacea, possible rosacea, and definitely no rosacea. Subanalyses by perceived gender, age, race, and rosacea subtype were also performed. Comparisons between groups were made using the Fisher exact test. Results Considering the prevalence of rosacea among all observed individuals in the community setting, 5.4% (95% CI 3.6-7.8) of individuals had “possible” rosacea and 6% (95% CI 4.1-8.5) of individuals had “definite” rosacea. Older, white individuals with fairer skin types (Fitzpatrick skin types I, II, and III) were more likely to have rosacea. There was no gender predisposition. Limitations Distance from subjects made it difficult to assess patients with mild rosacea or a few telangiectasias, as well as ocular rosacea. The study could not assess those individuals who were too embarrassed by their rosacea to be in the public settings observed. Additionally, some subjects may have applied significant makeup in an effort to conceal their rosacea, making assessment difficult. Conclusions Based on direct observation of individuals in community settings, rosacea is more common than previously reported in the United States.


1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (03) ◽  
pp. 393-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandeep S Dhami ◽  
Robert D Bona ◽  
John A Calogero ◽  
Richard M Hellman

SummaryA retrospective study was done to determine the incidence of and the risk factors predisposing to clinical venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients treated for high grade gliomas. Medical records of 68 consecutive patients diagnosed and treated at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center from January 1986 to June 1991 were reviewed. The follow up was to time of death or at least 6 months (up to December 1991). All clinically suspected episodes of VTE were confirmed by objective tests. Sixteen episodes of VTE were detected in 13 patients for an overall episode rate of 23.5%. Administration of chemotherapy (p = 0.027, two tailed Fisher exact test) and presence of paresis (p = 0.031, two tailed Fisher exact test) were statistically significant risk factors for the development of VTE. Thrombotic events were more likely to occur in the paretic limb and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.00049, chi square test, with Yates correction). No major bleeding complications were seen in the nine episodes treated with long term anticoagulation.We conclude that venous thromboembolic complications are frequently encountered in patients being treated for high grade gliomas and the presence of paresis and the administration of chemotherapy increases the risk of such complications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-197
Author(s):  
Sherry S. Zhou ◽  
Alan P. Baptist

Background: There has been a striking increase in electronic cigarette (EC) use in the United States. The beliefs and practices toward ECs among physicians are unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate EC practice patterns among allergists, pulmonologists, and primary care physicians. Methods: An anonymous survey was sent to physicians. The survey contained 32 questions and addressed issues related to demographics, cessation counseling behaviors, personal use, and knowledge and beliefs about ECs. Statistical analysis was performed by using analysis of variance, the Pearson χ2 test, Fisher exact test, and logistic regression. Results: A total of 291 physicians completed the survey (222 primary care physicians, 33 pulmonologists, and 36 allergists) for a response rate of 46%. The allergists asked about tobacco cigarette use as frequently as did the pulmonologists and more than the primary care physicians (p < 0.001), but they rarely asked about EC use. The pulmonologists scored highest on self-reported knowledge on ECs, although all the groups answered <40% of the questions correctly. The allergists did not feel as comfortable about providing EC cessation counseling as did the pulmonologists and primary care physicians (p < 0.001). All three groups were equally unlikely to recommend ECs as a cessation tool for tobacco cigarette users. Conclusion: Allergists lacked knowledge and confidence in providing education and cessation counseling for EC users. As the number of patients who use these products continues to increase, there is an urgent need for all physicians to be comfortable and knowledgeable with counseling about ECs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Sutriswanto Sutriswanto ◽  
Sugito Sugito

Abstract: Staphylococcus is a cause of infection. Infection can be transmitted from a source by an indirect through fomite. Paper money can act as transmission of infectious agents, money acts as a fomite. Smaller denominations of value have higher contamination. This study aims to analyze differences in contamination bacterial Staphylococcus sp on denomination of paper money Rp.2.000, 5.000, Rp.10,000 and Rp.20.000 that currently shop on Adi Sucipto street town Pontianak. The research method used in this research is in the form of difference and the sample in this research is denomination of paper money curently with sampling technique using cluster sampling. Checkup of Staphylococcus spon denomination of paper money using rinse method. On these result of study, denomination of paper money Rp.2.000 that is contaminated staphylococcus sp is 80%, denomination of paper money Rp.5.000 that is contaminated staphylococcus sp is 70%, denomination of paper money Rp.10.000 and Rp.20.000 that is contaminated staphylococcus sp is 80%. The data from result of study has been obtained were analyzed statistically by using fisher exact test, the result of p (0,477) >α (0,05) which mean as H1 is rejected. So it can be concluded there is no difference of contamination bacteria staphylococcus sp on denominations of paper money rupiah.Abstrak: Staphylococcus merupakan penyebab terjadinya infeksi. Infeksi dapat ditularkan dari suatu sumber dengan mekanisme tidak langsung melalui fomite. Uang kertas dapat bertindak sebagai transmisi agens infeksius ,uang berperan sebagai fomite. Pecahan uang yang lebih kecil nilainya memiliki kontaminasi yang lebih tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis perbedaan cemaran bakteri Staphylococcus sp pada pecahan uang kertas Rp.2.000, 5.000, Rp.10.000 dan Rp.20.000 yang beredar di warung jalan Adi Sucipto kota Pontianak. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian berbentuk komperatif dan sampel pada penelitian ini adalah pecahan uang kertas rupiah dengan.teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan purposive sampling. Pemeriksaan Staphylococcus sp pada pecahan uang kertas rupiah menggunakan metode rinse. Pada hasil penelitian pecahan uang kertas Rp.2.000 yang tercemar staphylococcus sp adalah 80%, pecahan uang kertas Rp.5.000 yang tercemar staphylococcus spadalah 70%, pecahan uang kertas Rp.10.000 dan Rp.20.000 yang tercemar staphylococcus spadalah 50%. Berdasarkan data dari hasil penelitian yang telah didapat dianalisis menggunakan uji statistik fisher exact, didapatkan hasil p (0,477) >α (0,05) yang diartikan sebagai H1 ditolak. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan tidak ada perbedaan cemaran bakteri staphylococcus sp pada pecahan uang kertas rupiah.


2009 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Kusuma Madamala ◽  
Claudia R. Campbell ◽  
Edbert B. Hsu ◽  
Yu-Hsiang Hsieh ◽  
James James

ABSTRACT Introduction: On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast of the United States, resulting in the evacuation of more than 1.5 million people, including nearly 6000 physicians. This article examines the relocation patterns of physicians following the storm, determines the impact that the disaster had on their lives and practices, and identifies lessons learned. Methods: An Internet-based survey was conducted among licensed physicians reporting addresses within Federal Emergency Management Agency-designated disaster zones in Louisiana and Mississippi. Descriptive data analysis was used to describe respondent characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with physician nonreturn to original practice. For those remaining relocated out of state, bivariate analysis with x2 or Fisher exact test was used to determine factors associated with plans to return to original practice. Results: A total of 312 eligible responses were collected. Among disaster zone respondents, 85.6 percent lived in Louisiana and 14.4 percent resided in Mississippi before the hurricane struck. By spring 2006, 75.6 percent (n = 236) of the respondents had returned to their original homes, whereas 24.4 percent (n = 76) remained displaced. Factors associated with nonreturn to original employment included family or general medicine practice (OR 0.42, 95 percent CI 0.17–1.04; P = .059) and severe or complete damage to the workplace (OR 0.24, 95 percent CI 0.13–0.42; P &lt; .001). Conclusions: A sizeable proportion of physicians remain displaced after Hurricane Katrina, along with a lasting decrease in the number of physicians serving in the areas affected by the disaster. Programs designed to address identified physician needs in the aftermath of the storm may give confidence to displaced physicians to return.


Author(s):  
Brittney S. Lange-Maia ◽  
Aron S. Buchman ◽  
Sue E. Leurgans ◽  
Melissa Lamar ◽  
Elizabeth B. Lynch ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Krasko ◽  
J Marianowska ◽  
M Duplaga

Abstract Background According to recent projections, even 10% of Polish gross domestic product is contributed by Ukrainian immigrants. There is also a considerable number of Ukrainians continuing university education in Poland. The level of health literacy in Ukrainian society has not been studied so far. The aim of the study was the comparison of health literacy (HL) and e-health literacy (eHL) of young adult Ukrainian (UA) women with their Polish (PL) counterparts Methods A snowball technique was used to recruit a sample of UA women working or studying in Poland to the Internet-based survey. The questionnaire used in the study consisted of the 16-item European HL Survey questionnaire (HLS-EU-16), eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), the set of the questions asking about health behaviours (HB), self-assessment of health status (HS) and items exploring sociodemographic variables. For comparison, the data of an age-matched sample of 100 respondents was extracted from the online survey performed in a representative sample of PL women. Results The mean age (standard deviation, SD) of 57 UA respondents was 20.23 (1.78) years and in Polish sample 20.25 (1.79). HL did not differ between both groups (11.06 (4.22) vs 11.44 (4.34), respectively, p = 0.53), but eHL was significantly lower in UA group (25.91 (5.36) vs 28.17 (5.37), U Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.01). Only 58.5% of UA respondents vs 80.5% of PL ones assessed their HS as at least good (Fisher exact test, p &lt; 0.001). The rates of active smoking (34.6% vs. 35.0%, p = 0.55), using e-cigarettes (35.3% vs 34.0%, p = 0.99), frequent alcohol consumption (26.9% vs. 20%, p = 0.41), and intensive physical activity (49.0% vs. 38.0%, p = 0.22) did not differ between study groups. Conclusions Young UA women show lower eHL than PL counterparts. Although HL and HB in both groups did not differ significantly, UA respondents have assessed their HS much lower than PL participants. Key messages E-health literacy and self-assessed health status were significantly lower among young Ukrainian than among Polish women. Both groups did not differ for health literacy and health behaviours.


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