Life‐space mobility and social support in elderly adults with orthopaedic disorders. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suzuki, Tomoko; Kitaike, Tadashi; Ikezaki, Sumie
• Is Part Of: International journal of nursing practice. Volume 20(2014)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: elderly orthopaedic patient -- life‐space mobility -- nursing -- social support; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Practice -- Periodicals; 610.73092
• DOI: 10.1111/ijn.12248
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1322-7114

Abstract

Abstract : The purpose of this cross‐sectional survey was to explore relationships between life‐space mobility and the related factors in elderly Japanese people who attend orthopaedic clinics. The study measures included surveys of life‐space mobility (Life‐space Assessment (LSA) score), social support (social network diversity and social ties), physical ability (instrumental self‐maintenance, intellectual activity, social role), orthopaedic factors (diseases and symptoms) and demographic information. The questionnaire was distributed to 156 subjects; 152 persons responded, yielding 140 valid responses. Mean age of the sample was 76.0 ± 6.4 (range, 65–96 years), with 57.9% women ( n = 81). In a multiple regression analysis, the six factors were significantly associated with LSA. Standardized partial regression coefficients (β) were gender (0.342), instrumental self‐maintenance (0.297), social network diversity (0.217), age (−0.170), difficulty of motion (−0.156) and intellectual activity (0.150), with an adjusted R 2 = 0.488. These results suggest that outpatient health‐care providers need to intervene in not only addressing orthopaedic factors but also promoting social support among elderly Japanese.