Changes in activity levels, physical functioning, and fall risk during the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 pandemic

Hoffman, Geoffrey J.; Malani, Preeti N.; Solway, Erica; Kirch, Matthias; Singer, Dianne; Kullgren, Jeffrey T.

doi:10.1111/jgs.17477

Cited by 74 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In this analysis of data from the nationally representative Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, our findings support prior research demonstrating increases in loneliness and feeling socially disconnected since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic 1–5 . We expand upon previous findings by looking specifically at those aged 65 years and older using nationally representative data.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Loneliness, sadness, and feelings of social disconnection in older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Holaday

Oladele

Miller

et al. 2021

J American Geriatrics Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Public health measures to control the COVID‐19 pandemic have led to feelings of loneliness among older adults, which, prior to COVID, has been associated with subsequent morbidity and mortality. We sought to identify differences in feelings of loneliness, sadness, and social disconnection early in the pandemic across racial groups, and possible mitigating factors. Methods We performed a cross‐sectional analysis using the weighted nationally‐representative Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey COVID‐19 supplement, collected summer 2020. We included all Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older who did not respond by proxy. We examined changes in loneliness, sadness, or feelings of social disconnection. Multivariable logistic regression models accounted for sociodemographic variables, access to primary care and the internet, and history of depression or dementia. Results Among 8125 beneficiaries, representative of 43.7 million Medicare beneficiaries, 22.6% reported loneliness or sadness, and 37.1% feeling socially disconnected. In fully‐adjusted models, Hispanic/Latinx beneficiaries were most likely to report loneliness or sadness (OR = 1.3, CI: 1.02–1.65; p = 0.02) and Black beneficiaries were least likely to report feeling socially disconnected (OR = 0.55; CI: 0.42–0.73; p < 0.001). Internet access was associated with increased odds of both (OR = 1.29, 95 CI: 1.07–1.56; p = 0.009; and OR = 1.42, 95 CI: 1.24–1.63; p < 0.001, respectively). Access to primary care was associated with lower odds of both (OR = 0.77, 95 CI: 0.61–0.96; p = 0.02; and OR = 0.72, 95 CI: 0.61–0.87; p < 0.001). Conclusions Loneliness, sadness, and feelings of social disconnection were common among older Medicare beneficiaries early in the COVID‐19 pandemic. Differences by race/ethnicity may be driven by different living structures and social networks, and warrant further study. Policy makers and clinicians should consider facilitating connection by phone or in person, as internet access did not diminish feelings of loneliness, particularly for those living alone. Access to primary care, and tools for clinicians to address loneliness should be prioritized.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Loneliness, sadness, and feelings of social disconnection in older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Holaday

Oladele

Miller

et al. 2021

J American Geriatrics Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…What is not visible from our data is the longer-term consequences of a COVID-19–related decline in activity. In a survey conducted in January 2021, one third of American older adults reported reduced activity levels since the start of the pandemic ( Hoffman et al, 2021 ). Associated with the reduced activity was a two to threefold worsening of self-reported physical function as well as increased risk of falls and fear of falling ( Hoffman et al., 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a survey conducted in January 2021, one third of American older adults reported reduced activity levels since the start of the pandemic ( Hoffman et al, 2021 ). Associated with the reduced activity was a two to threefold worsening of self-reported physical function as well as increased risk of falls and fear of falling ( Hoffman et al., 2021 ). These findings suggest a tipping point—perhaps not yet reached by the time of our study—at which a step count reduction leads to muscle loss, physical deconditioning, and falls.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Restrictions on Falls in One Community of High-Risk Older Adults

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aim: To examine the relationship between falls among high-risk older adults at one Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and the COVID-19 closure of its Day Health Center (DHC), which provides participants with social and rehabilitative services and contributes to their weekly physical activity. Methods: Self-reported falls during the 3 months before the DHC’s closure (“pre–COVID-19”) were compared in number and in character to falls during its closure (“COVID-19”). Results: One thirty five participants were enrolled during the entire 6-month period; 37% ( n = 50) fell during this time. These participants experienced fewer falls during COVID-19 (mean = 0.64) than they did pre–COVID-19 (mean=1.24, p = .0003). Conclusions: In this population of high-risk, community-dwelling older adults, an abrupt reduction in activity levels may have reduced falls. Physical activity has been shown to both increase and protect against falls in older adults. The long-term consequences of a comparably prolonged period of inactivity merit further study.

show abstract

“…We found that concern about the pandemic and reported changes in health routines were common and associated with substantially lower scores for perceived physical functioning and community mobility and social participation, consistent with patterns observed in older adults. [11][12][13] In this cross-sectional study, we cannot determine whether these observed associations reflect true causal associations. We also cannot know the direction of the associations, or whether these associations differ from those in the population without SLE.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Association of COVID-19 pandemic-related concern and health routine changes with functioning among individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectiveTo examine whether pandemic-related issues were associated with physical functioning, community mobility and cognition among individuals with SLE.MethodsParticipants were recruited (6 October 2020–11 November 2021) for this cross-sectional study from a population-based cohort of individuals with validated SLE in metropolitan Atlanta, as part of an ongoing ancillary study. Pandemic-related issues (concern about the pandemic (very vs somewhat/not at all concerned); changes in physical activity and sleep (less vs more/same); difficulty obtaining food and medications and accessing routine care (any vs none)) were self-reported. Self-reported physical functioning and episodic and working memory performance were reported as t-scores (such that a score of 50=population mean and a 10-point difference=1 SD) and community mobility scores ranged from 0 to 120, with higher scores representing better functioning for all domains. Differences in scores were assessed via t-tests and age-adjusted, sex-adjusted and race-adjusted linear regression.ResultsAmong 245 participants (mean age, 46 years; 95% female, 77% black), physical functioning t-scores (mean=44) were consistently lower (by 3–5 points) for those who reported concern about the pandemic, less physical activity and sleep, difficulty obtaining food and medications, and accessing routine care. Similarly, community mobility scores (mean=48) were lower (by 10–20 points) for these individuals. There were no substantial differences in episodic memory and working memory t-scores (mean=50 and 47, respectively) by pandemic-related issues.ConclusionWe found that physical functioning and community mobility, but not cognition, were lower among those who reported more concern about the pandemic or greater disruptions to health routines. Future studies should explore interventions among these vulnerable individuals with SLE, who already disproportionately suffer from functional impairment, to maintain functioning and prevent adverse outcomes during times of crisis.

show abstract

Changes in activity levels, physical functioning, and fall risk during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Cited by 74 publications

References 42 publications

Loneliness, sadness, and feelings of social disconnection in older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Loneliness, sadness, and feelings of social disconnection in older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Impact of COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Restrictions on Falls in One Community of High-Risk Older Adults

Association of COVID-19 pandemic-related concern and health routine changes with functioning among individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About