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- Title
Self-reported hearing difficulties and changes in life-space mobility among community-dwelling older adults: A two year follow up study.
- Authors
Polku, Hannele; Mikkola, Tuija M.; Rantakokko, Merja; Portegijs, Erja; Törmäkangas, Timo; Rantanen, Taina; Viljanen, Anne
- Abstract
Background: Life-space mobility reflects individuals' actual mobility and engagement with society. Difficulty in hearing is common among older adults and can complicate participation in everyday activities, thus restricting life-space mobility. The aim of this study was to examine whether self-reported hearing predicts changes in life-space mobility among older adults. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of community-dwelling older adults aged 75-90 years (n = 848). At-home face-to-face interviews at baseline and telephone follow-up were used. Participants responded to standardized questions on perceived hearing at baseline. Life-space mobility (the University of Alabama at Birmingham Life-Space Assessment, LSA, range 0-120) was assessed at baseline and one and two years thereafter. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the effect of hearing difficulties on changes in LSA scores. Results: At baseline, participants with major hearing difficulties had a significantly lower lifespace mobility score than those without hearing difficulties (mean 54, 95% CI 50-58 vs. 57, 95% CI 53-61, p = 0.040). Over the 2-year follow-up, the life-space mobility score declined in all hearing categories in a similar rate (main effect of time p < 0.001, group x time p = 0.164). Participants with mild or major hearing difficulties at baseline had significantly higher odds for restricted lifespace (LSA score <60) at two years (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2 and 2.0, 95% CI 1.0-3.9, respectively) compared to those without hearing difficulties. The analyses were adjusted for chronic conditions, age, sex and cognitive functioning. Conclusions: People with major hearing difficulties had lower life-space mobility scores at baseline but did not exhibit accelerated decline over the follow-up compared to those without hearing difficulties. Life-space mobility describes older people's possibilities for participating in out-ofhome activities and access to community amenities, which are important building blocks of quality of life in old age. Early recognition of hearing difficulties may help prevent life-space restriction.
- Subjects
SELF-evaluation; DISEASES in older people; HEARING disorders; FOLLOW-up studies (Medicine); COGNITIVE ability
- Publication
Journal of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics, 2015, Vol 11, Issue 4, p187
- ISSN
0974-3405
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s12877-015-0119-8