Objective and subjective measures of the neighbourhood environment: associations with frailty levels

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether perceptions of the neighbourhood environment (NE) and objective measures of the NE were associated with frailty in older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in Adelaide, Australia, recruited a sample of 115 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years. Respondents’ perceptions of their NEs were assessed using the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS). An objective assessment of these NEWS survey questions was conducted using seven variables: residential density, land use mix diversity, street connectivity, accessibility, seasonal persistent green cover, road crash density and crime rate. Frailty was evaluated using the FRAIL (fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses and loss of weight) scale. Multivariable linear regression analyses were employed to assess the associations between NEWS and frailty, and to assess the associations between objective neighbourhood variables and frailty. RESULTS: Frail and pre-frail older adults were more likely to live in areas with lower residential density, lower density of road crashes, and higher accessibility than robust participants. Additionally, a poorer perception of the overall environment, worse land-use mix and accessibility and worse crime safety were associated with frailty and pre-frailty after adjustment of covariates and objective GIS variables. DISCUSSION: Neighbourhood characteristics, both objective and perceived, are associated with frailty levels in older adults, and that strategies to tackle frailty must consider the impact of the neighbourhood environment.