Changes in Life-Space Mobility With Loss of Relatives and Friends Among Older Adults: Results From the UAB Study of Aging

Abstract Background and Objectives Increasing age brings a greater risk of death of friends and family (hereafter referred to as loss) potentially impacting individuals’ life-space mobility (LSM) trajectory. Research Design and Methods Using the UAB study of aging, we examined differences in LSM tra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Gerontologist 2024-04, Vol.64 (4)
Main Authors: Driggers, Amelia, Kennedy, Richard E, Williams, Beverly Rosa, Brown, Cynthia J, Buys, David R
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Abstract Background and Objectives Increasing age brings a greater risk of death of friends and family (hereafter referred to as loss) potentially impacting individuals’ life-space mobility (LSM) trajectory. Research Design and Methods Using the UAB study of aging, we examined differences in LSM trajectories of 1,000 community-dwelling older Alabamians (65 + years) with and without loss over 8.5 years. We measured LSM using UAB’s Life-Space Assessment (LSA), a validated instrument assessing movement through zones ranging from their bedroom to out of town. We assessed loss every 6 months using a standard bereavement questionnaire capturing spousal, other relative, or friend loss. We used piecewise linear mixed-effects models to compare LSA trajectories. Results At baseline, those who later experienced loss, compared with those who did not were younger, more likely to be female, and overall in better health. Those without loss had a baseline mean LSA score of 49.5 and a decline of 0.08 points per year (p 
ISSN:0016-9013
1758-5341
1758-5341
DOI:10.1093/geront/gnad116