Association of Social Isolation With Life-Space Mobility, Sleep Quality, Physical Function, and Fear of Falling Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Requiring Long-Term Care

Objective: This study aimed to examine the factors associated with social isolation among community-dwelling older adults requiring long-term care. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 70 day service attendees requiring long-term care who were independently ambulatory and had sufficient cognitive function to participate. Social isolation was defined as a score of <12 on the Six-item Lubben Social Network Scale. Life-space mobility was assessed using the Life Space Assessment, sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, physical function using the Timed Up-and-Go test, and grip strength and fear of falling using the Falls Efficacy Scale. Separate multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were constructed by adjusting for age, sex, and care need level. Variables that were significant in the separate models were simultaneously entered into a multivariable model. Results: In separate multivariable-adjusted models, lower life-space mobility, poorer sleep quality, and a greater fear of falling were significantly associated with social isolation, whereas physical function was not. However, none of these associations remained significant when considered simultaneously. Conclusions: Lower life-space mobility, poorer sleep quality, and greater fear of falling were associated with social isolation only in separate multivariable-adjusted models. These exploratory findings should be interpreted cautiously and require confirmation in larger studies.