Mobility Profiles of Residents Living With Dementia in Canadian Long-Term-Care Homes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: People living with dementia experience a decline in mobility, leading to adverse health outcomes. Method: Using the Resident Assessment Instrument-Minimum Data Set 2.0 (RAI-MDS 2.0) and interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) assessment form data, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 79,773 LTC residents across four Canadian provinces. Mobility was assessed using four measures: bed mobility, transfers, locomotion, and walking. We used a generalized logit model to examine associations between mobility and selected determinants. Results: The sample had a mean age of 86.17 (SD 7.96) years; two-thirds were female, with most residing in Ontario. Cognitive impairment reduced independence (odds ratio [OR]: 0.01-0.75, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.91, p < 0.05). Residents with depression had higher odds of requiring limited assistance (OR: 1.50-1.72). Contextual factors, including province, influenced mobility, with Manitoba residents having the highest odds of independence (OR: 1.71-9.09). Receiving physiotherapy or occupational therapy was linked to lower odds of independence (OR: 0.32-0.77), likely because of prioritization of severely impaired residents. Conclusions: The mobility of residents with dementia in LTC is associated with physiological, subjective, and contextual factors. These factors should be considered in developing interventions to improve mobility across different provinces.