The Association between Balance Confidence, Physical Accessibility and Life-Space Mobility among Older Adults Living in Residential Care Facilities

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that physical community layout is associated with mobility in older adults and that balance confidence (BC) improves their life-space mobility. However, few studies have examined how BC, physical residential characteristics have an impact on the proximity of distance. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships BC, physical accessibility and life-space mobility. A cross-sectional design was used with a convenient sample of 90 older adults living in an independent facility in an urban city in Michigan. Eligibility criteria included understanding and speaking English and being medically stable. Measures were Life-Space Assessment (LSA), Short Version of Activity-specific Balance Scale (ABC-6) and the Housing Enabler Assessment and Modifications. ANCOVAs were performed using SPSSv22. The mean age of the participants was 66.83 years old, ranging from 50 to 93 years. The majority was African American (76%), single (94%), female (67%), and received a GED or completed some high school (54%). The results show that older adults with a high BC had a greater LSA after controlling for age, gender, race, and marital status (p<0.001). Residential accessibility was not associated with LSA, however it was associated with BC (p<0.05). African Americans with lower education attainment had a greater LSA of level 3 compared to Caucasians (p< 0.019). Males (p< 0.007) and older adults with high education attainment (p< 0.020) had significantly higher BC. Complexity was detected in these interrelationships. BC, race and gender must be considered to improve life-space mobility among older adults.