Elia Díez1, Ferran Daban2, Maribel Pasarín3, Lucía Artazcoz3, Carmen Fuertes4, M José López3, Núria Calzada2. 1. Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, España; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), España; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, España; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: ediez@aspb.es. 2. Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, España; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, España. 3. Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, España; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), España; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau, Barcelona, España; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, España. 4. Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, España; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), España; Fundació Tot Raval, Barcelona, España.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Social isolation impairs health. An intervention to reduce isolation due to architectural barriers in elderly persons was carried out in Barcelona (Spain). This study aimed to evaluate its effects on health. METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experimental before-after study. Isolated older people were identified in three deprived urban areas from 2009 to 2011. Participants had twice-weekly outings with volunteers in a stair-climbing power wheelchair. User satisfaction was evaluated and perceived health status, quality of life, and mental health before and after four outings were compared with McNemar tests. RESULTS: There were 74 participants (median age: 83 years; IQR: 78-89). Perceived health improved by 21%, mental health by 24%, and psychological distress was reduced by 16%. Most participants (98%) were satisfied. CONCLUSION: The intervention improved perceived health and mental health. Elderly people with impaired mobility should not live in buildings with architectural barriers and, if this cannot be avoided, similar programs should be implemented.
OBJECTIVE: Social isolation impairs health. An intervention to reduce isolation due to architectural barriers in elderly persons was carried out in Barcelona (Spain). This study aimed to evaluate its effects on health. METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experimental before-after study. Isolated older people were identified in three deprived urban areas from 2009 to 2011. Participants had twice-weekly outings with volunteers in a stair-climbing power wheelchair. User satisfaction was evaluated and perceived health status, quality of life, and mental health before and after four outings were compared with McNemar tests. RESULTS: There were 74 participants (median age: 83 years; IQR: 78-89). Perceived health improved by 21%, mental health by 24%, and psychological distress was reduced by 16%. Most participants (98%) were satisfied. CONCLUSION: The intervention improved perceived health and mental health. Elderly people with impaired mobility should not live in buildings with architectural barriers and, if this cannot be avoided, similar programs should be implemented.
Keywords:
Accesibilidad; Accessibility; Aged; Aislamiento social; Community health services; Health promotion; Intervención comunitaria; Mayores; Promoción de la salud; Social isolation
Authors: Huang Huang; Linmei Wang; Min Cao; Charles Marshall; Junying Gao; Na Xiao; Gang Hu; Ming Xiao Journal: Int J Neuropsychopharmacol Date: 2015-01-07 Impact factor: 5.176