Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on mobility of older adults: A scoping review

Abstract

Aims and objectives To identify the most frequent determinants of contact limitation on older adults' mobility addressed by the recommendations to mitigate mobility limitation during the COVID‐19 pandemic and identify the recommendations characteristics and means of dissemination that might guide coping actions. Background Measures for physical contact restriction were implemented to prevent COVID‐19 spread. These measures directly impacted older people, reducing their mobility, especially outside home environment. Health systems worldwide need to be prepared to implement strategies to mitigate negative effects of reduced mobility in this population. Design Scoping review using Arksey and O′Malley's methodological framework. Method Therefore, a scoping review was conducted in LILACS, CINAHL, MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE and SCOPUS databases. Documents and reports with recommendations from government agencies were also consulted. Results were presented in a narrative synthesis based on a conceptual model of mobility proposed by Webber ( The Gerontologist , 2010, 50 , 443) regarding the most frequently addressed determinants, characteristics of the proposed interventions, and means of dissemination for the older person population. Findings Twenty‐eight studies were selected for the final sample. According to Webber's model, most articles ( n = 14) presented the impacts on mobility from the perspective of physical determinants, relating this aspect to biological losses in the musculoskeletal system, and a minority assessed mobility in vital spaces, encompassing environmental ( n = 3) and financial ( n = 1) determinants. Also, the most frequent recommendation was that physical activity promotes maintenance of mobility and prevents the occurrence of adverse results, such as falls, fractures and functional decline. As to dissemination, digital technologies were recognised as a strategy to motivate, instruct and monitor exercise practice to increase mobility in older adults. Conclusion The main conditions related to the decline in mobility of older adults during COVID‐19 pandemic were physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle. The practice of physical activity is widespread and needs to be adapted according to individual needs. Finally, digital technologies are essential tools in this period, but other alternatives should also be considered for low‐income seniors. Implications for practice It is hoped that the gaps identified through this scoping review can help enhance the discussion on the broader assessment of mobility in older adults and the design of interventions when contact restriction is a reality.

Did managers of long-term care facilities neglect the functionality of older adults? A survey during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Physical activity was highly recommended to mitigate the effects of physical distancing on the functionality of older adults living in LTCF. 37 , 38 Baert et al 39 observed that, before the pandemic, managers were unfamiliar with recommendations from the World Health Organization 40 on the importance of physical activity; they believed these recommendations were valid but not applicable to LTCF. De Souto Barreto et al 41 showed that only one-third of residents of 163 French LTCF exercised, possibly due to the lack of specific exercise recommendations for older adults in LTCF.…”

“… 43 However, older adults living in LTCF presented barriers to acquiring digital technology, especially in low- and middle-income countries. 37 Therefore, governments and the health system must expand digital technology in disease prevention and health promotion and train health professionals. 37 …”

“… 37 Therefore, governments and the health system must expand digital technology in disease prevention and health promotion and train health professionals. 37 …”

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“…Multiple researchers found that the pandemic had a negative impact on mobility, functioning, and the quality of life of older adults (Bloom et al, 2022; Felipe et al, 2022). Most older adults shared how the pandemic and the lockdown increased the symptom burden experience with resulting decreased mobility and more feelings of stiffness.…”

Benefits of a Dual-Task Training on Motor and Cognitive Functions in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Further studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis and gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals' walking pattern. 25 Normal aging is commonly associated with a decline in specific cognitive abilities, including processing speed, memory, language, and executive function. Promising advances in neurology have identified declines in the volume of gray and white matter that may contribute to the observed cognitive changes in aging.…”