Older Adults’ Frequency of Going Outside during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations with Physical Distancing, Health Status, and Fall Risk Factors

Abstract

Research shows significant health benefits of going outside in late life. Using the 2019 and 2020 National Health and Aging Trend Study and its 2020 COVID-19 supplemental survey ( N = 3,857, age 70+), we examined changes in the past-month frequency of going outside one’s home/building during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared to the same time in 2019. We found that 57.0% reported no change in the frequency of going outside, 32.0% went out less frequently, and 11.0% went out more frequently. Logistic regression models showed that decreased frequency was associated with higher frequency of going outside in 2019, avoidance of contact with those outside their household (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.10, 2.06), dementia diagnosis, mobility device use, self-rated health (AOR = .85, 95% CI = .75–.97), and being 90+ years of age, female, non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic, divorced/separated. Older adults are likely to benefit from going outside more often when they can safely do so.