Self-Reported Life Satisfaction and Life-Space Mobility in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES

Life satisfaction is a key indicator of health outcomes among older adults. This study examined whether mild cognitive impairment (MCI) modified the relationship between life satisfaction and life-space mobility.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND

PARTICIPANTS

This study included 14,009 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 71.9 ± 6.2 years; 54.8% women) who participated in the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Study of Geriatric Syndromes.

METHODS

Life satisfaction was assessed using the Life Satisfaction Scale, and life-space mobility was evaluated using the activity mobility index (AMI). To examine whether MCI status modified the association between life-space mobility and life satisfaction, multiple regression analyses were performed using the Life Satisfaction Scale score as the dependent variable. The model included an interaction term between AMI and MCI and was adjusted for relevant potential covariates.

RESULTS

In total, 2737 participants (19.5%) met the criteria for MCI. MCI was significantly associated with lower life satisfaction compared with participants without MCI (B = -0.257; 95% CI, -0.470 to -0.044; P = .018). AMI was significantly associated with life satisfaction (B = 0.026; 95% CI, 0.023-0.029; P < .001). However, the MCI × AMI interaction term was not significantly associated with life satisfaction (B = 0.006; 95% CI, -0.001-0.013; P = .084).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Greater life-space mobility was associated with higher life satisfaction regardless of MCI status. These findings suggest that maintaining and expanding life-space mobility may support well-being among community-dwelling older adults, including those with cognitive decline. Interventions aimed at preserving life-space mobility may have practical implications for promoting healthy aging and quality of life in older populations.