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Updated: Oct 31, 2025
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Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults
Published on: February 8, 2019
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Exploring life-space in the nursing home. An observational longitudinal study
Karen Sverdrup1,2,3, Sverre Bergh4,5, Geir Selbæk4,6,7
1Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Aldring og Helse, Postboks 2136, 3103, Tønsberg, Norway. karen.sverdrup@aldringoghelse.no.
BMC Geriatrics
|June 30, 2021
Summary
Most nursing home residents with dementia maintain a stable life-space (LS) within their unit. Better physical performance and less apathy are linked to a wider LS over time, suggesting potential for interventions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Mobility Studies
- Dementia Care
Background:
- Traditional mobility measures overlook environmental interactions.
- Life-space (LS) is crucial in gerontology, but understudied in nursing homes (NH).
- Understanding LS trajectories in NH dementia patients is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify life-space (LS) trajectories in dementia patients upon NH admission.
- Explore individual and environmental factors associated with LS over time.
Main Methods:
- 583 dementia patients assessed biannually for 3 years using Nursing Home Life-Space Diameter.
- Growth mixture modeling identified LS trajectories.
- Linear mixed models analyzed associations with individual and environmental factors.
Main Results:
- Four distinct LS trajectories were identified.
- Most residents (72.1%) showed stable LS within their unit.
- Younger age, better health, less severe dementia, less apathy, and smaller units correlated with wider LS.
Conclusions:
- Nursing home residents with dementia often exhibit stable life-space trajectories, primarily within their units.
- Physical performance and apathy levels are key factors influencing LS.
- Further research should investigate modifiable factors and environmental impacts on LS.
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