Environmental barriers and mobility in Taiwan: is the Roy adaptation model applicable?

This study tested Roy's adaptation model by exploring the relationship between environmental stimuli, specifically barriers, and the mobility, and instrumental behaviors of hip-fractured elderly persons after surgery in Taiwan. A prospective study was conducted 3 months after hospital discharge with 87 elderly persons with hip fracture who had received surgery at a medical center in northern Taiwan. After controlling for prefracture conditions, subjective environmental barriers significantly diminished the walking ability, self-care ability, and role performance of hipfractured elderly persons. The findings of this study lend to suggestions for intervening with hip-fractured elderly persons after surgery.