Physical and Mental Factors Underlying Home-based Life Space of Disabled Elderly at Home

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate physical and mental factors associated with home-based life space in disabled elderly at home.

Methods: In the present study, 61 elderly persons (82.7 ± 6.2 years; male, n = 13) who underwent day-care service at two health service facilities for the elderly participated. We measured the home-based Life Space Assessment (Hb-LSA) [Maximal Life Space (Hb-M), Life space using equipment (Hb-E), Independent Life Space (Hb-I)], grip force, muscle strength of quadriceps, one-leg standing, Timed-Up and Go test (TUG), Barthel index (BI), Activities-of-Daily-Living Self-Efficacy Scale (ADLSES), depression scale and self-rated health. Subjects were divided into those who moved to outside with using equipment (outside group, N=25), those who moved to neighborhood with using equipment (neighborhood group, N=36).

Results: The results showed that neighborhood group had better TUG, BI and ADLSES compared with outside group.

Conclusion: The present findings suggest physical performance and confidence in performing activities of daily living are important for enhancing the life-space for disabled elderly at home.