Activity patterns in very old people: a survey of cognitively intact subjects aged 90 years or older.

AIM: to measure activity patterns in very old people, the factors related to this and the association of different types of activity with well-being.
METHODS: a study of 105 people, aged 90 years or older, who were not cognitively impaired, living in Stockholm. The activities carried out during the previous day were recorded and each activity was rated. RESULTS AND
CONCLUSIONS: the degrees of intellectual, social and physical activity are independent of each other. Very elderly people tended to have variable but relatively low activity levels over a day. Good health and not moving home were associated with greater intellectual activity. Extraversion and negative life events (such as death of close friend or family member) were associated with greater social activity, while relatively younger age and better health were associated with greater physical activity. There was positive association between physical activity and well-being.