A relatively recent journal article by C. Brown et al “Trajectories of Life-Space Mobility After Hospitalization” in the March edition of Annals of Internal Medicine found that hospitalization decreases life space in older adults. Surgical hospitalizations are associated with immediate marked life-space declines followed by rapid recovery, in contrast to nonsurgical hospitalizations, which are associated with more modest immediate declines and little evidence of recovery after several years of follow–up.
This article brings to light 2 issues: impacts on mobility and a different way of assessing mobility. Life space assessment (LSA) is a measure of where a person goes, the frequency of going there and the dependency in getting there. Although the authors cite that this method may be best used for older adults, it may serve as a measure for people with disabilities as well (many of whom are older). Modification of the Life Space Questionnaire (LSQ) developed by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (1999) may provide an interesting way to measure integration of people with disabilities within their communities.
mike community engagement, recreation
In my recent research I stumbled across this article from 2004:
The vast majority of Americans with disabilities are not obtaining the recommended amount of physical activity needed to confer health benefits and prevent secondary conditions associated with a sedentary lifestyle (e.g., heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis). The risk to this population from secondary conditions associated with inactivity is particularly acute, as persons with disabilities are far more likely to have significantly lower levels of overall activity. The current version of the Healthy People 2010 report notes that significantly more people with disabilities reported having no leisure-time physical activity, 56% vs. 36%, compared to people who did not indicate they had any disability.
The HP 2010 Chapter 6, Disability and Secondary Conditions, suggests that the significantly lower rate of participation among people with disabilities may be
related to environmental barriers, including architectural barriers, organizational policies and practices, discrimination, and social attitudes, and recommends that
public health agencies begin to evaluate which environmental factors enhance or impede participation..
This article, Development and validation of AIMFREE: Accessibility Instruments Measuring Fitness and Recreation Environments from Disability and Rehabilitation, 2004; Vol. 26, No. 18, 1087–1095 highlights the challenge faced by schools, recreation centres, governments and private industry to better meet the needs of people with disabilities sooner, rather than later. Considering the focus on infrastructure during this economic downturn, improving facilities and programs for people with disabilities and seniors would seem to provide short, medium and long term benefits to society.
mike accessibility, healthy living, recreation healthy living, recreation