Mobility Changes in Older Adults: Implications for Practitioners

1996 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda C. Campanelli

Functional mobility is generally considered a major contributor to maintaining quality of life at any age. There are several overviews of physiological aging relative to physical functioning and/or mobility in the recent literature. This paper reiterates the need for continued exercise (at all levels) throughout one’s lifetime, specifically to enhance quality of life and functional independence. Implications for professionals and program development are included. Tailored exercises for both ambulatory and nonambulatory older adults to maintain flexibility, gait, and bed mobility are described.

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S746-S747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth E Schmader ◽  
Myron J Levin ◽  
Katrijn Grupping ◽  
Sean Matthews ◽  
David Butuk ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1085-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Olayiwola Faronbi ◽  
Adenike Ayobola Olaogun

ABSTRACTBackground:This study investigated the impact of caregivers’ burden on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among the caregivers of older adults, and tested the predictive effect of burden and socio-demographic factors on HRQoL.Methods:The study employed a cross-sectional design. Three hundred and twenty-five caregivers of older adults with chronic illness were purposively selected. Data were collected using the Zarit Burden Interview and Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially.Results:Findings revealed that 59.1% of caregivers experienced severe burden. In measuring the HQRoL, respondents performed poorly in seven domains: Role limitation due to emotional problems (19.69 ± 9.46), Energy/fatigue (43.47 ± 16.46), Emotional well-being, (45.83 ± 13.93), Social functioning (49.09 ± 18.46), Role limitation due to physical function (43.33 ± 10.15), Physical functioning (43.6 ± 18.73), and General health (37.31 ± 12.09). Respondents, however, showed a higher score in the pain domain (56.77 ± 35.79). Furthermore, findings revealed a positive correlation between caregivers’ burden and General health (r = 0.342), Emotional well-being (r = 0.222), and Physical functioning (r = 0.083). Similarly, there is a negative correlation between caregivers’ burden and Social functioning (r = –0.618), Role limitation due to physical activities (r = 0.459), Role limitation due to emotional well-being (r = –0.530), and Energy/fatigue domains (r = –0.509). In addition, burden of caregiving (β=–3.142119, p = 0.000) and age (β=0.612752, p = 0.011) are predictors of the quality of life of caregivers.Discussion:This study concluded that there is a high prevalence of caregivers’ burden resulting in poor HQRoL. In addition, burden and age are predictors of the quality of life of caregivers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (10) ◽  
pp. 1185-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marije N. van Doorn-van Atten ◽  
Annemien Haveman-Nies ◽  
Marit M. van Bakel ◽  
Monique Ferry ◽  
Maite Franco ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of an intervention including nutritional telemonitoring, nutrition education, and follow-up by a nurse on nutritional status, diet quality, appetite, physical functioning and quality of life of Dutch community-dwelling elderly. We used a parallel arm pre-test post-test design with 214 older adults (average age 80 years) who were allocated to the intervention group (n97) or control group (n107), based on the municipality. The intervention group received a 6-month intervention including telemonitoring measurements, nutrition education and follow-up by a nurse. Effect measurements took place at baseline, after 4·5 months, and at the end of the study. The intervention improved nutritional status of participants at risk of undernutrition (β(T1)=2·55; 95 % CI 1·41, 3·68;β(T2)=1·77; 95 % CI 0·60, 2·94) and scores for compliance with Dutch guidelines for the intake of vegetables (β=1·27; 95 % CI 0·49, 2·05), fruit (β=1·24; 95 % CI 0·60, 1·88), dietary fibre (β=1·13; 95 % CI 0·70, 1·57), protein (β=1·20; 95 % CI 0·15, 2·24) and physical activity (β=2·13; 95 % CI 0·98, 3·29). The intervention did not have an effect on body weight, appetite, physical functioning and quality of life. In conclusion, this intervention leads to improved nutritional status in older adults at risk of undernutrition, and to improved diet quality and physical activity levels of community-dwelling elderly. Future studies with a longer duration should focus on older adults at higher risk of undernutrition than this study population to investigate whether the impact of the intervention on nutritional and functional outcomes can be improved.


Author(s):  
Sanne W. T. Frazer ◽  
Rozan van der Veen ◽  
Anneloes Baan ◽  
Mariëlle E. W. Hermans ◽  
Branko F. Olij

There is strong evidence that effective fall prevention elements exist, but the implementation into society remains difficult. The aim of the current study is to describe and evaluate the implementation of the fall prevention programme “Thuis Onbezorgd Mobiel” (TOM). This novel approach combines effective components into a multidisciplinary group-based programme for adults aged 65 years or older with an increased risk of falling. To investigate the impact on several health-related outcomes such as subjective health, quality of life, physical functioning, and falls, we applied a quasi-experimental pre–post design including a follow-up period. A total of 164 older adults subscribed to the programme: 80 were eligible to start and 73 completed it. The impact analysis revealed a significant improvement in subjective health, physical functioning, and quality of life directly after participating in the programme. The impact on subjective health and quality of life persisted six months after the programme. Important facilitators for the implementation of the programme were social contact and clear communication. Lack of a concrete follow-up was seen as an important barrier. The results of the current research help guide further implementation of effective fall prevention interventions in practice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 701-701
Author(s):  
Rhayun Song ◽  
Moonkyoung Park ◽  
Jisu Seo ◽  
Yuelin Li ◽  
Fan Xing ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Older adults experience abnormal declines in physical and cognitive functioning that increase their risk of dependence, subsequently quality of life. This study aims to explore the relationship between physical and cognitive functioning, and to predict quality of life among older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Methods Survey was conducted with older adults registered at dementia support centers. Seventy-four older adults signed the consent form and participated in the study. physical functioning consisted of grip strength, balance (OLS), Timed up and go, and activities of daily living. Cognitive functioning was measured by K-MOCA. SF-12 was used to assess quality of life. Results The participants was 76 years old on average, more women (75.4%), and mostly elementary or less education level (60.9%). Physical functioning explained 22.1% of variance in cognitive functioning after controlling for age and gender (F change=4.789, p=.002). Balance (OLS: t=2.304, p=.024) and grip strength (t=2.207, p=.031) was significant predictors. Physical and cognitive functioning explained 36.7% of variance in quality of life after controlling for age and gender (F =5.466, p<.001). Indicators of physical functioning, TUG (t=-3.252) and grip strength (t=-2.633), were the most significant predictors of quality of life, while cognitive function explained additional 3.1% of variance in quality of life (F=3.216, p=.078). Conclusion Physical functioning were significant predictors of cognitive functioning, subsequently to quality of life among older adults with cognitive impairment. Health promoting strategies should focus on improving physical functioning of this population to maintain or prevent cognitive declining, and to promote quality of life.


Author(s):  
Kenneth E Schmader ◽  
Myron J Levin ◽  
Michael Chen ◽  
Sean Matthews ◽  
Megan E Riley ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Herpes zoster may significantly impact quality of life (QoL) in older adults. The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) is efficacious in adults aged ≥50 and older and is associated with increased reactogenicity compared to placebo. We report here on the impact of reactogenicity of the second RZV dose on the QoL and physical functioning (PF) of vaccine recipients, and summarize findings following both doses. Method In this single-arm study, 401 adults aged ≥50 and older were enrolled to receive two RZV doses 2 months apart. Change in mean Short Form Survey-36 (SF-36) PF and EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) scores, reactogenicity, safety, productivity loss, and healthcare resource utilization were evaluated. Results In total, 391 (97.5%) participants received dose 2. Post-dose 2, the most common solicited local symptoms were injection site pain (75.1%), erythema (22.4%), and swelling (13.9%), and the most common systemic symptoms were fatigue (46.3%), headache (37.5%), and myalgia (32.9%). Grade 3 solicited (local and systemic) adverse events were reported by 61 (15.6%) participants and were associated with a transient clinically significant decrease in SF-36 PF score on Days 1–2 post-dose 2 that recovered by Day 3. Overall, no clinically important reduction in mean SF-36 PF scores was observed from baseline to post-dose 2 (mean change −0.4), and no quality-adjusted-life-year loss was recorded. Conclusions Overall, QoL and PF of RZV vaccinees were not affected by vaccine-related reactogenicity. A transient reduction was observed in the first 2 days after RZV vaccination in individuals with Grade 3 adverse events. No safety concerns were identified.


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