A1 Journal article (refereed)
Life-Space Mobility and Active Aging as Factors Underlying Quality of Life among Older People before and during COVID-19 Lock-down in Finland : a Longitudinal Study (2021)

Rantanen, T., Eronen, J., Kauppinen, M., Kokko, K., Sanaslahti, S., Kajan, N., & Portegijs, E. (2021). Life-Space Mobility and Active Aging as Factors Underlying Quality of Life among Older People before and during COVID-19 Lock-down in Finland : a Longitudinal Study. Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 76(3), e60-e67. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa274

JYU authors or editors

Rantanen, Taina
Eronen, Johanna
Kauppinen, Markku
Kokko, Katja
Sanaslahti, Sini
Kajan, Niina
Portegijs, Erja

Publication details

All authors or editors: Rantanen, Taina; Eronen, Johanna; Kauppinen, Markku; Kokko, Katja; Sanaslahti, Sini; Kajan, Niina; Portegijs, Erja

Journal or series: Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences

ISSN: 1079-5006

eISSN: 1758-535X

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 30/10/2020

Volume: 76

Issue number: 3

Pages range: e60-e67

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa274

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/72484

Abstract

Background
Social distancing, i.e. avoiding places with other people and staying at home, was recommended to prevent viral transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Potentially, reduced out-of-home mobility and lower activity levels among older people may lower their quality of life (QOL). We studied cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of and changes in life-space mobility, active ageing and QOL during COVID-19 social distancing compared to two years before.

Methods
Altogether 809 community-living participants initially aged 75, 80 or 85 years of our active aging study (AGNES) conducted in 2017-2018 took part in the current AGNES-COVID-19 survey in May and June 2020. Outdoor mobility was assessed with the Life-Space Assessment (range 0-120). Active approach to life was assessed with the University of Jyväskylä Active Aging Scale (range 0–272), and QOL with the shortened Older People’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (range13-65; higher scores better for all). Data were analyzed with General Estimating Equations, General Linear Models, and Oneway-ANOVA.

Results
Life-space mobility (B -10.8, SE 0.75, p<0.001), the active ageing score (B -24.1, SE 0.88, p<0.001) and the QOL score (B -1.65, SE 0.21, p<0.001) were lower during COVID-19 social distancing vs. two years before. Concurrent life-space mobility and active ageing scores, age and sex explained 48% of QOL at the baseline and 42% during social distancing. Longitudinally, steeper declines in all three variables coincided.

Conclusions
The observed declines indicate compliance with social distancing recommendation, but underline the importance of participation in meaningful life situations as a factor underlying good QOL also during COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: older people; physical activity; ability to move; quality of life; COVID-19

Free keywords: participation; well-being; social distancing; population-based; octogenarian

Fields of science: