OPAL: A New Lens on Active Living
A new study has shown that the Older Persons’ Active Living (OPAL) measure—a 17-question tool—effectively captures how actively older adults are living at a single point in time. This tool helps researchers estimate the level of engagement older people have in daily activities, which is an essential factor in maintaining health and quality of life as we age.
However, there’s more to discover. The next step is to see if the OPAL measure can consistently track active living levels over extended periods and assess how it responds to various interventions aimed at boosting activity. Researchers are also exploring if shorter versions of the OPAL measure could provide similar results, making it even easier to use.
Additionally, studies in different cultural and language settings are essential to determine if the OPAL measure can reliably reflect active living worldwide. By gaining a deeper understanding of active aging on a global scale, researchers hope to support healthier, more engaged lives for older adults everywhere.
Source:
Mayo, N. E., Auais, M., Barclay, R., Branin, J., Dawes, H., Korfage, I. J., … & Kuspinar, A. (2024). Measuring what matters to older persons for active living: part II cross-sectional validity evidence for OPAL measure across four countries. Quality of Life Research, 33(10), 2661-2673.