Distinct factors explain life space mobility below and above the age of 75 years old in older adults

Life space mobility (LSM) is important for participation in daily life. It is influenced by individual and environmental factors and tends to decline with age. Although LSM has been studied in older adults, stratification of this population into age subgroups has not been performed, creating a gap in understanding the factors associated with LSM in a more granular manner. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the factors associated with LSM in community-dwelling older adults below and above the age of 75. Participants aged 65 and older without neurological conditions or dementia were recruited. LSM was assessed using the Life Space Assessment (LSA), mobility with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), cognition with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), fear of falling with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC), and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Additional self-reported data included employment/volunteering, frequency of leaving the house, functional status, and number of medications. Separate regression models were conducted for each age subgroup. Two-hundred forty-two older adults (28.9% men) were recruited (mean (SD) age 73.7(6.4) years), with 40.9% aged over 75. In the younger subgroup, sex, frequency of leaving the house, TUG, and employment/volunteer status significantly explained 42.8% of the variance in LSM. In the older subgroup, sex, age, ABC, MoCA, and TUG significantly explained 46.9% of the variance in LSM. Distinct factors are associated with LSM in each age subgroup. Accordingly, future interventions should be tailored for each subgroup individually.