COVID-19 Impacts on Physical Activity Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Memory Problems: The Moderating Role of Walkable Neighborhood Destinations

Abstract Background and Objectives The number of people with memory problems who desire or are forced to age in place has been growing rapidly. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought significant challenges to the ability of those with memory problems to stay active and age in place. This study investigated the roles of neighborhood environments in helping community-dwelling people with memory problems maintain physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Design and Methods We used retrospective online survey data from 75 caregivers who responded on behalf of their care recipients with memory problems living in Texas communities. We used difference-in-difference (DID) estimations based on zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to examine the changes in recreational walking and moderate-to-strenuous exercise before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether such changes vary by diversity of walkable neighborhood destinations. Results In the total sample, there was a significant reduction in both recreational walking (Δ change = −45.16 min/week, p