A Comparison of Physical Parameters, Functional Performance, and Life Quality in Home-residing and Nursing Home-residing Older Adults with No History of Falls

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to compare physical parameters, functional performance, and lifequality scores in home-residing (HR) and nursing home-residing (NHR) older adults with nohistory of falls and evaluate the possible correlations between these factors.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 44 HR and 59 NHR participantsby using the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, Mini Mental State Examination,30-Second Chair Stand Test, and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the NHR and HR participantsin terms of lower extremity muscle strength, balance, life quality, functional performance, andmental status (p>0.05). Correlation analysis only showed a significant negative relationshipbetween functional performance and lower extremity muscle strength (r=-0.401, p=0.003)and balance (r=-0.519, p=0.0001) in the NHR group.Discussion and Conclusion: Fall risk assessments for HR and NHR elderly should considervarious factors including lower extremity muscle strength, functional performance, mental status, and life quality. This study presenting functional performance and life quality data as wellas physical parameter measurements is preliminary to further studies from a similarly holisticperspective.