Dog Ownership, Functional Ability, and Walking in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 646-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberlee A. Gretebeck ◽  
Kaitlyn Radius ◽  
David R. Black ◽  
Randall J. Gretebeck ◽  
Rosemary Ziemba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dog Ownership ◽  
Dog Owners

Background:Regular walking improves overall health and functional ability of older adults, yet most are sedentary. Dog ownership/pet responsibility may increase walking in older adults. Goals of this study were to identify factors that influence older adult walking and compare physical activity, functional ability and psychosocial characteristics by dog ownership status.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, older adults (65−95 years of age, n = 1091) completed and returned questionnaires via postal mail. Measures included: Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, Physical Functioning Questionnaire and Theory of Planned Behavior Questionnaire.Results:Dog owner/dog walkers (n = 77) reported significantly (P < .05) more total walking, walking frequency, leisure and total physical activity and higher total functional ability than dog owner/nondog walkers (n = 83) and nondog owners (n = 931). Dog owner/nondog walkers reported lower intention and perceived behavioral control and a less positive attitude than dog owner/dog walkers (P < .05).Conclusions:Dog owner/dog walkers were significantly different than the nondog walker groups in nearly every study variable. Many dog owners (48.1%) reported walking their dogs regularly and the dog owner/dog walkers participated in nearly 50% more total walking than the 2 nondog walking groups, suggesting that pet obligation may provide a purposeful activity that motivates some older dog owners to walk.

Predictors of Physical Activity Levels in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Multivariate Approach Based on a Socio-Ecological Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koren L. Fisher ◽  
Elizabeth L. Harrison ◽  
Brenda G. Bruner ◽  
Joshua A. Lawson ◽  
Bruce A. Reeder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Home Care Services ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Nursing Home Care ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Cross Sectional

The purpose of this study was to explore cross-sectional relationships between self-reported physical activity (PA) and personal, social, and environmental factors in community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older. Accounting for clustering by neighborhood, generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations between selected correlates and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) score while adjusting for confounders. Data for 601 participants were analyzed: 79% female, 37% married, mean age 76.8 (± 8.7) years, mean PASE score 112.6 (± 64.8). Age, living in seniors’ housing, using nursing/home care services, receiving encouragement to be active, and having benches available in the neighborhood were inversely associated with PASE. Self-efficacy, SF-12 score, PA barriers, social support, and the presence of trails showed positive associations. Several personal, social, and environmental factors associated with PA were identified. The inverse association between PA and living in seniors’ housing units should be considered when developing PA programs for older adults.

Attitudes and Beliefs Predicting Taiwanese Older Adults’ Intentions to Attend Strength and Balance Training Programs

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Fan Lin ◽  
Jerry W. Lee ◽  
Naomi Modeste ◽  
Eric G. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Actual Design

While strength and balance training (SBT) programs are effective in preventing falls, older adults rarely participate. A cross-sectional study design was used to explore factors that influence their decisions to attend SBT programs. Questionnaires were collected that measured theory of planned behavior constructs from 221 community-dwelling Taiwanese older women between the age of 55 and 94. Results suggest that (a) benefits of SBT programs such as increasing independence in daily life, (b) participation approval and involvement from the older adults’ family members, and (c) SBT programs conducted in familiar places strengthened potential participants’ positive attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, respectively. Health care professionals should consider incorporating these factors in the recruitment materials or the actual design of SBT programs to enhance older adults’ decision to attend and increase the recruitment rate of such programs.

scholarly journals Visual Acuity’s Association With Levels of Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Swanson ◽  
Eric Bodner ◽  
Patricia Sawyer ◽  
Richard M. Allman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
University Of Alabama ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The University

Little is known about the effect of reduced vision on physical activity in older adults. This study evaluates the association of visual acuity level, self-reported vision, and ocular disease conditions with leisure-time physical activity and calculated caloric expenditure. A cross-sectional study of 911 subjects 65 yr and older from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging (SOA) cohort was conducted evaluating the association of vision-related variables to weekly kilocalorie expenditure calculated from the 17-item Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression was used to evaluate possible associations while controlling for potential confounders. In multivariate analyses, each lower step in visual acuity below 20/50 was significantly associated with reduced odds of having a higher level of physical activity, OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67, 0.97. Reduced visual acuity appears to be independently associated with lower levels of physical activity among community-dwelling adults.

Physical Activity and its Influencing Factors in Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Dementia: A Path Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 105477382110339
Author(s):  
Bei Li ◽  
Xiuxiu Huang ◽  
Chenchen Meng ◽  
Qiaoqin Wan ◽  
Yongan Sun
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Status ◽  
Path Analysis Approach ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Dementia is prevalent in worldwide, and increases the care burden and potential costs. Physical activity (PA) has been increasingly shown to be beneficial for them. This was a cross-sectional observational study aiming to investigate the status of PA among community-dwelling older adults with dementia in Beijing or Hangzhou, China, and verify the relationships between neuropsychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living (ADL), caregivers’ fear of patients’ falling and their PA using a path analysis approach. The level of PA among 216 included people with dementia was low. PA was related to the neuropsychiatric symptoms, with ADL and caregivers’ fear of patients’ falling have mediation roles. The findings indicated that person-centered strategies related to the management of these symptoms might be helpful to improve ADL, relieve caregivers’ concerns about them falling and consequently foster positive participation in PA.

scholarly journals Physical performance and activity among older adults visiting primary healthcare centres in Riyadh

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 030006052095689
Author(s):  
Saad M. Bindawas ◽  
Vishal Vennu ◽  
Ayidh M. Alqarni ◽  
Tariq A. Abdulrahman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Activities

Objective To assess physical performance (PP) and physical activity (PA) among older adults visiting primary healthcare centres (PHCCs) in Riyadh. Methods In this cross-sectional study, men and women (n = 74) aged ≥60 years were recruited from five PHCCs across Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 19 February and 6 August 2017. The Timed Up & Go test was used to assess PP. Self-reported PA was assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Means and standard deviations were used to describe PP and PA scores across genders. A two-tailed independent samples t-test was used to estimate mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between genders. Results Men scored significantly lower than women on PP (MD: 2.11, 95% CI: 0.59 to 3.64) and PA (MD: −46.1, 95% CI: −80.96 to −11.25). Significant gender differences were observed for leisure time activities (MD: 17.35, 95% CI: 3.29 to 31.40), light household activities (MD: –10.86, 95% CI: –16.19 to –5.53) and heavy household activities (MD: –6.48, 95% CI: –11.73 to –1.23). Conclusions Men show significantly lower PP and PA than women. There are gender differences in leisure time activities and in light and heavy household activities.

scholarly journals Proximity to Facilities and Its Association with the Health-Related Habits of Functionally Independent Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8677
Author(s):  
Mónica Machón ◽  
Kalliopi Vrotsou ◽  
Isabel Larrañaga ◽  
Itziar Vergara
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Related

The aim was to examine how proximity to facilities, as a component of community determinants, is associated with the health-related habits of functionally independent community-dwelling older adults. This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews. Participants were >65 years old, living in 15 municipalities of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain). Proximity to park-green spaces, cultural-sport centers, market-food stores, retirement associations, religious centers, primary care centers and hospitals was explored. Sociodemographic variables and health-related habits (diet, physical activity and self-perceived social life) were collected. Logistic regression models were performed. The sample comprised of 634 individuals (55% women; mean age: 74.8, SD 6.7 years). Older age (odds ratio-OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91–0.97) was associated with lower physical activity, while being male (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.08–2.68) and proximity to park-green spaces (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.03–2.61) were related to more physical activity. Individuals with good self-perceived health (OR: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.82–6.74) and religious centers within walking distance (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.40–5.04) had higher odds of a satisfactory social life. Encouraging the creation of park-green spaces and leisure centers near residential areas can assist in promoting physical activity and improving the social life of older adults.

scholarly journals Is the prevalence of dehydration among community-dwelling older adults really low? Informing current debate over the fluid recommendation for adults aged 70+years

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1275-1285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodi Dunmeyer Stookey ◽  
Carl F Pieper ◽  
Harvey Jay Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Plasma Sodium ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Creatinine Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractObjectiveThe fluid recommendation for adults aged 70+ years has been criticised on the basis of a low prevalence of dehydration in community-dwelling older adults. This study explores whether the low prevalence might reflect limitations of individual dehydration indices.DesignCross-sectional data on plasma sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, glucose and potassium were used to classify 1737 participants of the 1992 Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) (70+ years) according to multiple dehydration indices. Associations between dehydration indices, health and functional status were evaluated.ResultsDepending on the indicator used, the prevalence of dehydration ranged from 0.5% for hypotonic hypovolaemia only (plasma tonicity <285 mOsm l−1 with orthostatic hypotension) to 60% with dehydration defined as either plasma sodium ≥145 mEq l−1, BUN/creatinine ratio ≥20, tonicity ≥295 mOsm l−1, or hypotonic hypovolaemia. Elevated tonicity and BUN/creatinine ratio were respectively associated with chronic disease and functional impairment.ConclusionsThe true prevalence of dehydration among community-dwelling adults may be low or high, depending on the indicator(s) used to define dehydration. Before we can pinpoint a generalisable prevalence of dehydration for community-dwelling seniors and draw conclusions about fluid recommendations, validation studies of dehydration indices and longitudinal studies of dehydration, health and functional status are needed.

Associations of Light, Moderate to Vigorous, and Total Physical Activity With the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in 4,652 Community-Dwelling 70-Year-Olds: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Marcel Ballin ◽  
Peter Nordström ◽  
Anna Nordström
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Steps Per Day

In this cross-sectional study, the authors investigated the associations of objectively measured physical activity (PA) with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in older adults. Accelerometer-derived light-intensity PA, moderate to vigorous PA, and steps per day were measured in (N = 4,652) 70-year-olds in Umeå, Sweden, during May 2012–November 2019. The MetS was assessed according to the American Heart Association/ National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute criteria. The prevalence of MetS was 49.3%. Compared with the reference, the odds ratios for MetS in increasing quartiles of light-intensity PA were 0.91 (0.77–1.09), 0.75 (0.62–0.89), and 0.66 (0.54–0.80). For moderate to vigorous PA, the corresponding odds ratios were 0.79 (0.66–0.94), 0.67 (0.56–0.80), and 0.56 (0.46–0.67). For steps per day, the odds ratios were 0.65 (0.55–0.78), 0.55 (0.46–0.65), and 0.45 (0.36–0.55). In summary, this study shows that greater amounts of PA, regardless of intensity, are associated with lower odds of MetS. With the limitation of being an observational study, these findings may have implications for the prevention of MetS in older adults.

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