Determinants of living situation in a population of community-dwelling and assisted living-dwelling elders.

OBJECTIVE

To determine what variables separate community-dwelling elders from assisted living-dwelling elders.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Community and assisted living facilities in Connecticut.

PARTICIPANTS

114 individuals (77 community dwelling, 37 assisted living).

ASSESSMENTS

Nutritional survey, 6-minute walk, Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE), Center of Epidemiologic Studies (CES)-Depression Scale, 25-OH vitamin D.

RESULTS

At baseline, assisted living-dwelling elders appeared to have lower serum 25-OH vitamin D levels, lower MMSE scores, higher CES-depression scale scores, and walked shorter distances in the 6-minute walk. Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels and 6-minute walk were significantly different between the 2 groups using logistic regression analysis. As serum 25-OH vitamin D levels increased, the probability of an elder living in an assisted living facility decreased, and as distance walked during the 6-minute walk increased, the probability of an elder living in an assisted living facility decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Elders living in assisted living facilities had significantly lower 25-OH vitamin D levels and walked shorter distances during the 6-minute walk. These variables can be used to predict the probability of an elder living in an assisted living facility. The lack of effect of nutrition suggests that the role of vitamin D in this setting is in physical function.