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Functional status of the elderly in Singapore
Background:
This study was done to look at prevalence and factors affecting functional dependence. The data in this paper were part of the 'Community Study on State of Health, Function, Cognitive and Social State of Elderly People in Singapore' conducted in Singapore between September 1992 and December 1993.
Patients:
Four hundred and one elderly, aged 60 years and above were studied. Sixty-eight subjects (17%) were dependent in at least one function of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) as measured by the Barthel's Index (BI).
Results:
The most common problem identified using this index was urinary incontinence. Forty subjects (10.4%) were dependent in at least one Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) function. The most common mode of transportation was by public transport, of which travelling by bus was the most common (59.9%) and mass rapid transit (MRT) was the least common (4%). Female gender and age > or = 75 were significant factors associated with dependence measured on Barthel's index but not on IADL.
Conclusion:
Results of this study were also compared with two previous surveys done in Singapore. Discrepancies in results noted could be attributed to different definitions in which the functions were assessed. We should aim to standardise the definition and measures of function in the local context in order to measure changes in the elderly population.