Life-Space Mobility and Active Aging as Factors Underlying Quality of Life Among Older People Before and During COVID-19 Lockdown in Finland-A Longitudinal Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Social distancing, that is, avoiding places with other people and staying at home, was recommended to prevent viral transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Potentially, reduced out-of-home mobility and lower activity levels among older people may lower their quality of life (QOL). We studied cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of and changes in life-space mobility, active aging, and QOL during COVID-19 social distancing compared to 2 years before.

METHODS:

Altogether 809 community-living participants initially aged 75, 80, or 85 years of our active aging study (AGNES) conducted in 2017-2018 took part in the current AGNES-COVID-19 survey in May and June 2020. Outdoor mobility was assessed with the Life-Space Assessment (range 0-120). Active approach to life was assessed with the University of Jyväskylä Active Aging Scale (range 0-272), and QOL with the shortened Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (range13-65; higher scores better for all). Data were analyzed with General Estimating Equations, General Linear Models, and One-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS:

Life-space mobility (B -10.8, SE 0.75, p < .001), the active aging score (B -24.1, SE 0.88, p < .001), and the QOL score (B -1.65, SE 0.21, p < .001) were lower during COVID-19 social distancing versus 2 years before. Concurrent life-space mobility and active aging scores, age, and sex explained 48% of QOL at the baseline and 42% during social distancing. Longitudinally, steeper declines in all 3 variables coincided.

CONCLUSION:

The observed declines indicate compliance with social distancing recommendation, but underline the importance of participation in meaningful life situations as a factor underlying good QOL also during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Authors: Taina Rantanen, Johanna Eronen, Markku Kauppinen, Katja Kokko, Sini Sanaslahti, Niina Kajan, Erja Portegijs
• Journal: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci) Vol. 76 Issue 3 Pg. e60-e67 (02 25 2021) ISSN: 1758-535X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33125043 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• COVID-19 (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Female
• Finland (epidemiology)
• Geriatric Assessment
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Pandemics
• Physical Distancing
• Quality of Life
• SARS-CoV-2
• Surveys and Questionnaires