Citation

McIntyre CC, Prichett L, McNabney MK. J. Appl. Gerontol. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/07334648211073607

PMID

35120423

Abstract

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.

Language: en

Keywords

physical activity; COVID-19; frailty; falls