Individual's perspective of local community environment and health indicators in older adults

GIRALDEZ-GARCIA, C.; FORJAZ, M.J.; PRIETO FLORES, M.E.; ROJO-PEREZ, F.; FERNANDEZ-MAYORALAS, G.; MARTINEZ-MARTIN, P.

GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2013

1444-1586

Aim: This study evaluated the relationship between individuals perspective of local community environment andhealth in older people.Methods: A survey about quality of life in older adults in Spain was applied to a representative sample of 1106community-dwelling people (mean age 1 SD = 72.07 17.83 years, 43.67% males). Local community (CommunityWellbeing Index, neighborhood problems, time in the neighborhood), psychosocial and sociodemographic measureswere considered. Four health outcomes (self-perceived health status, functional independence, depression andnumber of chronic medical conditions) were studied. Multivariate logistic analyses were carried out.Results: At least two local community measures were independently associated with each health outcome. Satisfactionwith community services significantly contributed to all models; it was positively related with self-rated healthand functional independence, and negatively associated with depression and chronic medical conditions.Conclusion: The individuals perspective of the local community environment was associated with health outcomesin older adults. This can be useful in the development of policies committed to promoting social integration and activeaging in the community.