Functional Limitations and Perceived Neighborhood Walkability Among Urban Dwelling Older Adults

Frontiers in Public Health

article

Rie Suzuki¹  Jennifer Blackwood²  Noah J. Webster³  Shailee Shah¹ 

[1] Department of Public Health and Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Michigan-Flint, United States;Physical Therapy Department, University of Michigan–Flint, United States;Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, United States

关键词: limitation of activity;    neighborhood;    minority;    accessibility (for disabled);    aged;    walkability;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2021.675799

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Older adults with functional limitations (FLs) often experience obstacles to walking. Although health promotion programs targeting physical activity are available in lower-income areas, few studies have compared the walking experiences of older adults who have FLs with those who do not in the community. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to compare perceptions of neighborhood walkability among older adults living in lower-income communities with and without FLs. Participants ( N = 132) were recruited in 2018 at regional health clinics in Flint, Michigan. To be eligible, participants had to be 65 years of age or older, report no cognitive decline, and be Flint residents. Of the 132 participants, the mean age was 69.74 (SD = 4.97). The majority were female (66%); African American (77%); single, divorced, or widowed (72%); educated below the General Education Development level (57%), and had a FL (67%). Older adults with FLs were significantly ( p < 0.05) less likely than those without to visit many places within walking distance, to have well-lit neighborhoods at night, and to reside in neighborhoods where sidewalks were separated from the road and traffic. Multiple regression analyses revealed that having a FL was associated with poorer neighborhood perceptions of mixed-land-use ( b = −0.19, p < 0.05) and more walking hazards ( b = −0.26, p < 0.05). Findings suggest that a FL is associated with perceptions of walkability. It is essential to develop disability-friendly support systems and accommodations to encourage walking in lower-income communities.

【 授权许可】

CC BY