RELOCATION, HEALTH, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ENGAGEMENT IN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY RESIDENTS - Abstract

Q: What was the study designed to investigate?

To describe residents’ health status and how that status relates to reasons for relocation and use of community fitness amenities.

Q: Which health outcomes were measured in the survey?

Frailty (Tilburg Frailty Indicator), sarcopenia (strength and physical function items), and cognitive changes (Ascertain Dementia 8-item Informant Questionnaire).

Q: How did relocation due to declining health compare with non-health reasons?

Residents who relocated due to declining health reported greater frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive changes than those who relocated for non-health reasons.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Rhys

Senior living communities aim to support healthy aging, yet limited evidence links residents’ health status with relocation motives and physical activity engagement. This study surveyed 145 residents in two Florida cities (survey period December 2023 to November 2024) and assessed frailty, sarcopenia, cognitive changes, and use of fitness amenities. Compared with relocations for non-health reasons, moves driven by declining health showed higher frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive change levels (all p<.05). More frequent fitness amenity use related to lower frailty and sarcopenia (p<.01).

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Study Purpose and Background

Methods and Measures

Participants and Survey Period

Results and Key Associations

Conclusions

810 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2749 RELOCATION, HEALTH, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ENGAGEMENT IN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY RESIDENTS Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 811 Chiung-ju Liu, Gabriella Ulloa, and Kelly Leal, University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, Gainesville, Florida, United States Senior living communities offer supportive environments to promote healthy aging. However, little is known about the health status and the degree of physical activity engagement to support health in the community residents. The purpose of this study was to describe the health status and how the health status related to reasons for relocation and the use of fitness amenities. Residents who had lived in a senior living community for over 3 months in two cities of Florida were invited to complete a survey between December 2023 and November 2024. Participants answered questions about relocation reasons, fitness amenity utilization, frailty (Tilburg Frailty Indicator), sarcopenia (Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls), and cognitive changes (Ascertain Dementia 8-item Informant Questionnaire). A total of 145 residents responded to the survey (Mean age = 80 years; Female n = 104). Results indicate that 28% of respondents have frailty, 20% have sarcopenia, and 22% are at risk of cognitive impairment. Residents who relocated due to declining health (n = 25) reported greater degrees of frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive changes relative to those due to non-health reasons (Mann-Whitney U Test, all ps < .05). Additionally, residents who used the fitness amenities more often is associated with less frailty and sarcopenia (Spearman’s Rho Test, both ps <.01) . Study findings suggested that residents with a relocation reason related to declining health may be at risk of poor health. Frequent use of community fitness amenities correlates with better physical health.

FAQs

What was the study designed to investigate?

To describe residents’ health status and how that status relates to reasons for relocation and use of community fitness amenities.

Which health outcomes were measured in the survey?

Frailty (Tilburg Frailty Indicator), sarcopenia (strength and physical function items), and cognitive changes (Ascertain Dementia 8-item Informant Questionnaire).

How did relocation due to declining health compare with non-health reasons?

Residents who relocated due to declining health reported greater frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive changes than those who relocated for non-health reasons.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Rhys