Scholarly record

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PREFERENCES OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES WHO ARE USERS OF INSTITUTIONAL CARE AND LOCAL COMMUNITY USERS

Ivana Crnkovic, A. Racz, T. Rukavina, V. V. Marchesi, A. Starc

Abstract

The prevalence of the non-performance of physical activity in the 21st century has reached pandemic proportions in all age groups, including elderly people. This study aimed to determine the level of physical activity of elderly people with type 2 diabetes who are users of institutional care in the Republic of Croatia compared to those who do not have diabetes and live independently in a residential area. The study comprised 200 elderly participants who can participate in physical activity independently or with assistance. The study group included elderly people with type 2 diabetes and elderly non-diabetic people who are users of institutional care and those who live alone. The study used the PASE questionnaire for assessing the level of physical activity. Most elderly people are equally often involved in seated activities, whether they are living in a nursing home or independently. People with type 2 diabetes have low levels of assessed physical activity regardless of whether they are users of institutional care or are living independently in a residential area. Elderly people who are beneficiaries of institutional care score significantly lower results on the PASE questionnaire compared to those living alone. There was a positive correlation between physical activity and the assessment of the quality of life and health satisfaction in all study groups. The results obtained through this research enable the creation of targeted interventions related to the participation of elderly people in physical activity.

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