Older people’s awareness of age-related change, life-space mobility, and frailty levels: Türkiye rural example

Abstract To determine awareness of age-related change, life-space, and frailty levels of older individuals living in rural areas of Türkiye. This research, which was descriptive relationship-seeking type, was conducted between January and April 2024 with 292 individuals aged 65 years and over. Data were collected face to face in public places using Personal Information Form, Awareness of Age-related Change Scale (AARC), Life-Space Assessment (LSA), Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS). Data were evaluated using MANOVA analyses, Pearson correlation analysis, structural equation modeling. The AARC, LSA, and EFS scores varied according to the presence of chronic disease, continuous medication use, and participation in social activities. It was determined that older people’s loss of AARC was positively related to gains ( r = 0.394, p < 0.01), positively related to frailty ( r = 0.189, p = 0.001), and negatively related to life-space levels ( r = - 0.193, p = 0.001). It was also determined that life-space was negatively related to frailty ( r = - 0.324, p < 0.001). Model built on older people’s awareness of age-related negative changes, life-space mobility and frailty levels was significant ( p < 0.05). Increasing participants’ AARC losses score by one unit reduced LSA by 0.282 units ( p = 0.041) and increased EFS scores by 0.180 units ( p = 0.031). In model, increasing LSA score by one unit reduced EFS score by 0.755 units ( p < 0.001). Increase in negative perception of old age reduces life-space mobility and increases frailty. Additionally, reduced life-space mobility increases frailty.