Active Ageing and Wellbeing in Old Age

Abstract

For this population-based study, includes data of 1021 participants aged 75, 80 or 85 years living in central Finland, who have been recruited by drawing personal details from the Finnish population register. Participants were interviewed on active aging, wellbeing, disability, environmental and social support, mobility, health behavior, and health literacy. Physical activity and heart rate were monitored for up to 7 days with wearable sensors. Functional tests include hearing, vision, muscle strength, reaction time, exercise tolerance, mobility, and cognitive performance. Clinical examination by a nurse and physician includes an electrocardiogram, tests of blood pressure, orthostatic regulation, arterial stiffness, and lung function, as well as a review of chronic and acute conditions and prescribed medications. C-reactive protein, small blood count, cholesterol and vitamin D were analyzed from blood samples. Cohort effects can be studied by comparing test results of physical and cognitive functioning with results of a cohort examined in 1989-90. Follow-up data on active ageing, physical activity, life-space mobility, health literacy and depressive mood were collected during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in May-June 2020. Second follow-up was collected among 700 people in 2021-2022.