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Older Adults’ Perceptions of the Built Environment and Associations with Frailty: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

  • Original Research
  • Clinics and Public Health
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Abstract

It is essential to evaluate frail older adults understanding and execution of survey tools to improve data quality and accurate representation in research. The study tested the feasibility and acceptability of a survey that assesses various measures of functional status in frail older people. The study evaluated: 1) recruitment rate; 2) time to complete questionnaires and difficulties encountered; and 3) acceptability by participants. Validated tools including: FRAIL Scale, EuroQoL 5D-5L, Charlson’s Comorbidities Index, Baecke’s Physical Activity Questionnaire, Life-Space Assessment, Katz and Lawton ADL and NEWS Walkability Scale were assessed. Twenty-five older patients (63% recruitment rate) of a post-acute restorative program (residential Transition Care Program) in Adelaide, South Australia were interviewed. Although not statistically different, time to complete the overall questionnaire differed between robust, pre-frail and frail participants. Overall, the survey was considered acceptable and feasible, with consideration with NEWS and Life-Space assessment regarding length, phrasing and layout.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adelaide Geriatrics Training and Research with Aged Care (G-TRAC Centre), Discipline of Medicine, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Beatriz Arakawa Martins, J. Dollard, N. Mahajan & R. Visvanathan

  2. Aged & Extended Care Services, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Beatriz Arakawa Martins & R. Visvanathan

  3. National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence Frailty and Healthy Ageing, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Beatriz Arakawa Martins, H. Barrie, J. Dollard & R. Visvanathan

  4. School of Social Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    H. Barrie

  5. The Basil Hetzel Institute and University of Adelaide, 37, Woodville Road, Woodville South, SA, 5011, Australia

    Beatriz Arakawa Martins

Authors
  1. Beatriz Arakawa Martins
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  2. H. Barrie
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  3. J. Dollard
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  4. N. Mahajan
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  5. R. Visvanathan
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Correspondence to Beatriz Arakawa Martins.

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Arakawa Martins, B., Barrie, H., Dollard, J. et al. Older Adults’ Perceptions of the Built Environment and Associations with Frailty: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study. J Frailty Aging 7, 268–271 (2018). https://doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2018.23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2018.23

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