Residential Modifications and Decline in Physical Function Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
By Liu, Sze Y.; Lapane, Kate L.; Gerontologist,Publication Date: April 17, 2009
Study explored the effect of residential modification on subsequent risk of decline in functional ability in a nationally representative sample of senior adults in the United States. Study participants were 9,447 individuals from the Second Longitudinal Study on Aging, a nationally representative sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population aged 70 years and older in the U.S. at the time of baseline interview in 1994-1995. Participants self-reported residential modifications at baseline. Decline in physical function was measured by comparing self-reported activities of daily living at baseline and at a 2-year follow-up. Of residential modifications reported, the largest percentage was railings, followed in descending order by bath modifications, street-level ramps, alerting devices, wide hallways, easily-opened doors, elevators, and kitchen modifications. Compared with individuals without baseline modifications, a higher proportion of those with residential modifications were aged 85 years and older, used special aides, and lived alone. A modest decrease in risk of decline was found at follow-up for those with baseline modifications. The study concludes that widespread adoption of residential modifications among older adults could potentially reduce the overall population estimates of decline in activities of daily living.
Published by: Gerontological Society of America (Website:http://www.geron.org)
Gerontological Society of America (Web Site: http://www.geron.org )
Link to text: http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/49/3/344
