Physical activity level, fear of falling and quality of life: a comparison between community-dwelling and assisted-living older adults

Abstract

Background Physical activity (PA), fear of falling (FOF) and quality of life (QOL) are very important constructs in geriatrics. The interplay among these constructs may vary between community-dwelling and assisted-living older adults. However, studies comparing the wellbeing of community-dwelling older adults with those residing in the assisted-living facilities (ALFs) are rather rare especially from developing countries. This study was aimed at comparing PA, FOF and QOL between assisted-living and community-dwelling older adults and also determining the correlations amongst the constructs for each group. Methods This cross-sectional survey involved consecutively sampled 114 older adults (≥65 years, ambulant and well-oriented in time, place and person) residing in conveniently selected ALFs (11.3% males) and adjoining communities (54.1% males). PA, FOF and QOL were evaluated using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, the Modified Fall Efficacy Scale and the Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire respectively. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of covariance and Spearman rank-order correlation test at 0.05 level of significance. Results Participants from the ALFs had significantly lower domain and overall PA (F=5.6–103.34; p< 0.05) and QOL (F=11.12–118.05; p< 0,05) scores than community-dwelling groups. FOF was significantly more prevalent in assisted-living group (p< 0.05). There were significant positive correlations (p< 0.05) between each pair of PA, FOF and QOL for both assisted-living and community-dwelling groups. Conclusions Older adults in the ALFs had lower PA and QOL scores with higher prevalence of FOF than their community-dwelling counterparts. Significant relationships existed between PA, FOF and QOL for participants in either group. Present results may be suggesting that ageing in place ensures better health outcomes than institutionalised ageing. Whenever possible, older adults should therefore be encouraged to age in place rather than moving into ALFs.

Social Support, General Self-Efficacy, Fear of Falling, and Physical Activity Among Older Adults in a Middle-Income Country

“…High prevalence of fear of falling had been reported in the local environment and world over ( Akosile, Agu et al, 2014 ; Akosile, Anukam et al, 2014 ; Alcolea-Ruiz et al, 2021 ; Tomita et al, 2018 ), and this had been attributed to the negative impact of ageing process on the body systems ( Akosile et al, 2018 ). The mean PA score recorded in this study depicts a low PA level, and falls within the same quartile range previously reported among older adults in different parts of the world ( Akosile et al, 2021 ; Ng et al, 2020 ; Siegmund et al, 2021 ). Physical inactivity had been reported as one of the major public health problems among older adults ( Levinger & Hill, 2021 ).…”

“…Participants’ fear of falling had significant negative correlation with each of their general self-efficacy and PA but had positive correlation with their social support. Physical activity had been variously reported to associate negatively with fear of falling ( Akosile, Agu et al, 2014 ; Akosile et al, 2021 ) with both constructs sharing mutual cause-and-effect relationship. However, no previous study is available for referencing on the relationship between fear of falling and general self-efficacy.…”

“…Fear of falling is one of the mostly reported predictor of physical inactivity among older adults ( Akosile et al, 2021 ; Matsuda et al, 2020 ; Sawa et al, 2020 ). It is highly prevalent and deleterious among older adults, and has adverse physical, cognitive, social, behavioural, psychological, family, medical and economic consequences in this group ( Makino et al, 2018 ; Okoye et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Fear of falling and PA have mutual cause-and-effect relationships that is usually stronger among female and older individuals who experience falls and limitations in activities of daily living ( Kempen et al, 2009 ). Consequent upon the serious adverse effects of fear of falling and PA, their associated factors among older adults are attracting serious attention ( Akosile, Agu et al, 2014 ; Akosile, Anukam et al, 2014 ; Akosile et al, 2015 ; 2021 ; Hirase et al, 2020 ; Matsuda et al, 2020 ; Sawa et al, 2020 ). However, reports on the relationships between fear of falling and some of its potential associated/risk factors are either conflicting or non-existent.…”

Increased anxiety about falls and walking ability among community‐dwelling Japanese older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Older adults with FOF have reduced activity due to a combination of reduced range of activity, decreased activity frequency, 12 and less frequent outdoor activities, 13 leading to a poor quality of life. 14,15 FOF may be associated with decreased physical and social activity, along with physical conditions such as dizziness, other illnesses, 16 gait function and imbalance, as well as fracture experience, rather than direct fall experience. [17][18][19] The increase in FOF may be due to physical and psychological changes caused by deterioration of physical and social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”