Abstract
Mobility barriers can impede physical activity, increase the fear of falling, and pose a threat to the ability of older adults to live independently. This study investigated outdoor mobility barriers within a nonretirement public housing community located in Tainan, Taiwan. Site observations and interviews with older adult residents determined that parked motor scooters, potted plants, the rubber tiles of play areas, and a set of steps were the most important barriers. In addition, the space syntax parameters of control value and mean depth were effectively able to quantitatively measure improvements in walkability resulting from the hypothesized removal of these four barriers. These measures of improved walkability can be included in a cost-benefit analysis of spatial improvement factors to help policymakers address the mobility and accessibility needs of older adults.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 286-297 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Aging and Physical Activity |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 Apr 1 |
Fingerprint
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation
- Gerontology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
Cite this
}
Spatial measurement of mobility barriers : Improving the environment of community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. / Chen, Yen Jong; Matsuoka, Rodney H.; Tsai, Kun Cheng.
In: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, Vol. 23, No. 2, 01.04.2015, p. 286-297.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatial measurement of mobility barriers
T2 - Improving the environment of community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan
AU - Chen, Yen Jong
AU - Matsuoka, Rodney H.
AU - Tsai, Kun Cheng
PY - 2015/4/1
Y1 - 2015/4/1
N2 - Mobility barriers can impede physical activity, increase the fear of falling, and pose a threat to the ability of older adults to live independently. This study investigated outdoor mobility barriers within a nonretirement public housing community located in Tainan, Taiwan. Site observations and interviews with older adult residents determined that parked motor scooters, potted plants, the rubber tiles of play areas, and a set of steps were the most important barriers. In addition, the space syntax parameters of control value and mean depth were effectively able to quantitatively measure improvements in walkability resulting from the hypothesized removal of these four barriers. These measures of improved walkability can be included in a cost-benefit analysis of spatial improvement factors to help policymakers address the mobility and accessibility needs of older adults.
AB - Mobility barriers can impede physical activity, increase the fear of falling, and pose a threat to the ability of older adults to live independently. This study investigated outdoor mobility barriers within a nonretirement public housing community located in Tainan, Taiwan. Site observations and interviews with older adult residents determined that parked motor scooters, potted plants, the rubber tiles of play areas, and a set of steps were the most important barriers. In addition, the space syntax parameters of control value and mean depth were effectively able to quantitatively measure improvements in walkability resulting from the hypothesized removal of these four barriers. These measures of improved walkability can be included in a cost-benefit analysis of spatial improvement factors to help policymakers address the mobility and accessibility needs of older adults.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84925114486&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84925114486&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1123/japa.2014-0004
DO - 10.1123/japa.2014-0004
M3 - Article
C2 - 24918428
AN - SCOPUS:84925114486
VL - 23
SP - 286
EP - 297
JO - Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
JF - Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
SN - 1063-8652
IS - 2
ER -