Activity patterns in very old people: a survey of cognitively intact subjects aged 90 years or older

Aim: to measure activity patterns in very old people, the factors related t o this and the association of different types of activity with well-being. Methods: a study of 105 people, aged 90 years or older, who were not cognit ively impaired, living in Stockholm. The activities carried out during the previous day were recorded and each activity was rated. Results and conclusions: the degrees of intellectual, social and physical a ctivity are independent of each other. Very elderly people tended to have v ariable but relatively low activity levels over a day Good health and not m oving home were associated with greater intellectual activity. Extraversion and negative Life events (such as death of close friend or family member) were associated with greater social activity, while relatively younger age and better health were associated with greater physical activity. There was positive association between physical activity and wellbeing.