Socio-demographic factors related to functional limitations and care dependency among older Egyptians

This paper is a report of a study determining the relationship of socio-demographic factors to functional limitations and care dependency among older care recipients and non-care recipients in Egypt.

The population is ageing in Egypt and age-related functional limitations are increasing. Age and gender influence this phenomenon, but its relationship to socio-economic status has not yet been demonstrated for Egypt. Functional limitations are an antecedent to care dependency, which also may be associated with these socio-demographic factors.

A cross-sectional study with a two-group comparative design was conducted in Greater Cairo. The sample was composed of 267 non-care recipients and 344 care recipients. Path analysis was used to determine the relationship between variables. Age, gender and acceptance of care were covariates in the multiple regressions. Analyses were conducted separately for care recipients and non-care recipients.

Among non-care recipients, lower socio-economic status was related to more functional limitations and higher care dependency. This relationship was not found among care recipients.

Older persons from low income groups are more likely to become care dependent but are less able to pay for required care. Currently, untrained volunteer groups of religious organizations try to support these older people in the poorer strata of Egyptian society. Training in the basics of care might help to make their work more effective.