Abstract
We examined the relationship between the frequency of going outdoors and physical, psychological and social functioning among frail elderly in order to obtain information that may help prevent them from becoming housebound. Subjects were 61 elderly people characterized as frail who lived in urban environments. A survey was conducted by multi-dimensional examination which included interviews and physical performance tests. We found that on average, those in our study population went outdoors 5.5±1.9 days per week. Thirty-three of them went out every day. Multiple regression analysis revealed that gender, neighbor network, walking ability to neighborhood, history of falls, and the frequency of contact with others were significant factors which influenced their frequency of going outdoors. Specifically, males, those with more neighbors, those with walking ability to their neighborhood, those with no history of falls, and those with a higher frequency of contact with others were more likely to go outdoors more often. These factors should be considered in attempts to maintain not only physical functioning but also social functioning to prevent frail elderly from becoming housebound.
