A Pilot Study Using the Life Space Assessment Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Ireland. (16th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stapleton, Tadhg
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 4(2020)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 673
• Page End: 673
• Publication Date: 2020-12-16
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2336
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Forty older adults (27, 67.5% female), mean age 74.3 years (range 65- 89), current drivers 31 (77.5%), 23 (57.5%) rural dwellers and 17 (42.5%) urban dwellers participated in the survey. Median LSA score was 74 (range 27-102). All participants were readily accessing life spaces within and immediately outside their own home. Over half (n=23, 57.5%) accessed spaces in their neighbourhood on a daily basis. Decreased frequency of access to spaces outside of local neighbourhood and town was noted. No significant difference in LSA scores between genders (P=0.549), current driving status (P=0.235), but urban dwellers had significantly higher LSA scores than rural dwellers (P=0.024). Spearman correlations found statistically significant negative correlation between age and LSA scores (rho= -0.445, P=0.004), and significant positive correlation between LSA and Euroqol (EQ) VAS scores (rho=0.405, P=0.010). Findings are limited by the small sample size but highlight decreasing frequency of wider community participation with increasing age.