The Association of Activity Assessed by Life-Space Assessment with Physical Function and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living for Elderly People

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess activity range and amount using the Life-Space Assessment (LSA), to examine the relationship between LSA and physical function and Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) for elderly individuals. [Subjects] Subjects comprised 411 community-dwelling elderly individuals (mean age, 76.7 ± 5.3 years). [Methods] We evaluated their activity range and amount using the LSA [Independent Life-Space (LS-I), Life-Space using equipment (LS-E), Maximal Life-Space (LS-M)]. We also conducted a questionnaire survey about health condition, physical function, and IADL. [Results] About 95% of subjects attained full points in LS-I, LS-E, LS-C, and the average LSA score was 92.7 points. There were significant differences in LSA scores between those who were aged > 85 years and those who aged 65-69, 70-74, and 75-79 years. LSA scores were significantly lower in those with certification of long-term care needs, fear of falling, taking three or more kinds of medicine, who had given up a hobby, without a sense of good health, with poor gait function, in sufficient grip power, who could not stand on tiptoe, go out alone or who had no hobby. Activity range and amount assessed by LSA for healthy elderly individuals were high, but decreased with age. [Conclusion] LSA was a more useful index for assessing the mobility associated with physical function and health condition them IADL which is highly reliant on mobility.