Lifestyle Activities of the Elderly: Composition and Determinants

Recent work suggests that lifestyle can be considered using a 2 x 2 model of indoor/outdoor and work/leisure activities. This paper replicates the factor analysis of the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) reported by Bond et al., using a group of subjects living independently in the community. Results confirmed empirically the existence of the four hypothesized dimensions of lifestyle. Further analyses demonstrated the construct validity of these dimensions by establishing their sensitivity to age, sex, domestic circumstances, and physical and cognitive status. We discuss ways in which various deficiencies in the FAI might be rectified in a revised index of activities designed to retain and clarify the four established dimensions of lifestyle. Future directions include the development of such an instrument, and its application as a rehabilitation outcome measure.