Elderly Individuals’ Satisfaction With Own Physical Activity Predicts Their Need for Care 3 Years Later

Abstract

This study investigated how elderly individuals’ exercise satisfaction in snowy areas relates to their health indicators and future care needs. Survey data were collected from individuals aged ≥65 years who lived in snowy-cold regions. Participants completed measures of exercise satisfaction, frailty, quality of life (QOL), and cardiovascular health study during the winter and spring of 2019, with a follow-up measure in 2022 to assess care needs. Findings revealed an association between exercise satisfaction, QOL, and frailty indicators, irrespective of the season. Notably, winter exercise satisfaction showed a stronger correlation with future care needs compared to spring exercise satisfaction. Those expressing low winter exercise satisfaction were significantly more likely to require increased care 3 years later than those reporting no inactivity. Although physical activity was not measured directly, the findings underscore that perceptions of exercise satisfaction during snowy seasons can predict future care needs in older adults. The influence of seasonal variations and subjective exercise satisfaction on long-term care requirements is vital for tailored interventions and improved healthcare strategies for older adults in cold regions.