Mobility in community-dwelling older adults; what are its determinants?

BACKGROUND: Based on a conceptual framework, Kuspinar and colleagues analysed life-space mobility in community-dwelling older adults. However, a number of earlier mobility studies that used the same framework remained undiscussed. This correspondence article addresses similarities and differences between these studies, as well as highlight issues that need to be addressed to improve our understanding of mobility determinants in older adults.

FINDINGS: Despite differences in methodological approach as well as in detailed results, the studies share one important outcome: regardless of the specific choice of potential mobility determinants, only a low to moderate proportion of mobility could be explained.

CONCLUSIONS: Our present understanding of the determinants of mobility in community-dwelling older adults is limited. A consistent term