Exploring Path Models of Disablement in Residential Care and Assisted Living Residents

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) settings house older adults with varying functional capacities.
• Understanding factors influencing physical activity is crucial for maintaining health and independence in this population.
• Physical activity is linked to improved functional outcomes and reduced disability in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between individual and environmental factors and physical activity in RC/AL residents.
• To examine the relationship between physical activity levels and functional limitations/disability.
• To identify key determinants of physical activity within the RC/AL environment.

Main Methods:

• Participants in residential care/assisted living completed questionnaires and physical performance tests.
• Objective physical activity data was collected using the Fitbit Motion Tracker®.
• Two-level path models were employed to analyze multilevel data, with residents nested within RC/AL settings.

Main Results:

• Greater exercise self-efficacy was positively associated with higher levels of physical activity.
• Increased physical activity was significantly related to better physical function and lower levels of disability.
• Environmental and setting-level factors did not show a significant correlation with physical activity or disability in this sample.

Conclusions:

• Individual factors, particularly exercise self-efficacy, are key drivers of physical activity in RC/AL residents.
• Promoting physical activity through individual-focused interventions may enhance physical function and reduce disability.
• Environmental modifications may not be as critical as individual psychological factors for increasing physical activity in this setting.