Related Experiment Videos
[Three-years changes in disability and mortality associated with daily life patterns among the home frail elderly]
1Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to eximine 3-year changes in disability and mortality in relation to the daily life patterns among the frail elderly living at home.
Methods:
Subjects were 50 frail elderly living at home who were interviewed at baseline, in July to September, 1995. By detailed time budgets, five daily life patterns were classified: Lying-rest, Sitting-rest, Hobby, Walking, and Housework. Information on ADL was obtained from visiting nurses or mailed questionnaires in June 1998 (3 years later).
Results:
Within the 3-year period, 15 people (30%) died. At the follow up, 27 people (54%) were living at home, three (6%) were hospitalized, and four (8%) were institutionalized. In 31 analyzed samples, ADL scores significantly decreased during the 3-year period. As for the ability to perform each activity, it was found that only the elderly in Housework life pattern maintained their ADL. The elderly in Lying-rest life and Sitting-rest life patterns were more likely to die.
Conclusion:
Decline in ADL among home frail elderly was found for the 3 years. It was suggested that community health care for preventing disability progress among home frail elderly were important over a long time. Housework life patterns were seemed to be associated with physical performance.