Motor and cognitive functions of older adults attending a community center compared to sedentary older adults

Abstract

Technological advances in health have contributed to an increase in life expectancy and to the aging population. As an ally to active aging, many cities have made possible some specific spaces for older adults, which is called senior  living centers (SLC). The ELC are places that help the development of socio-cultural, educational, and physical activities which support older adults to participate in community life. This study aimed to measure the motor and cognitive functions of older adults who go to ELC in comparison with sedentary older adults. In this cross-sectional, descriptive, and quantitative study, 21 older adults were divided into three groups: G1 (older adults who do physical activity at ELC), G2 (older adults who do cognitive activities at ELC), and G3 (sedentary older adults). The evaluation included vulnerability tests (Clinical Functional Vulnerability Index - 20), functionality (Pfeffer Index), cognition (Mini Mental State Examination and Trail Making Test), balance (Berg Functional Balance Scale), and mobility (Timed up and Go). The Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to make the statistical comparison. The results of vulnerability and functionality were similar for the groups. There was a statistical tendency in G1 to present a better motor score than the others. The G2 group had a worse cognitive score than the other groups. The G3 group, as it doesn’t present a bad score, was the group that chose to stay at home. In conclusion, older adults who perform physical activities in ELC tend to have better motor score. The bad cognitive score in the G2 group may indicate that the older adult perceived daily cognitive difficulties and chose to perform activities with cognitive stimulation.