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Updated: May 24, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
[Factors associated with functional status in a population aged ≥75 years without total dependence]
Anna Arnau1, Joan Espaulella, Marta Serrarols
1Unitat de Innovació i Recerca, Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial de Manresa, Manresa, Barcelona, España. aarnau@althaia.cat
Gaceta Sanitaria
|February 21, 2012
Summary
Number of medications and sensory impairments like vision and hearing loss are key factors affecting functional status in older adults without severe dependence. Addressing these can help maintain independence in elderly populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Primary Care Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Context:
- Functional status is crucial for maintaining independence in elderly individuals.
- Primary care settings serve a significant population of older adults.
- Assessing functional status requires evaluating both basic and instrumental activities of daily living.
Purpose:
- To identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with functional status in individuals aged 75 years and older without severe dependence.
- To analyze the relationship between specific health indicators and different domains of functional ability.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study analyzed 315 elderly individuals (mean age 81.9 years, 60.6% female) using physical performance tests.
- Lower limb function was linked to marital status, BMI, drug count, and sensory impairments.
- Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were associated with age, cognitive status, sensory impairments, and lower limb function.
- Basic activities of daily living (BADL) were associated with age, sex, self-perceived health, and lower limb function.
Impact:
- Findings highlight that polypharmacy and sensory deficits are significant risk factors for functional decline in non-severely dependent older adults.
- Identifies modifiable factors such as medication management and sensory aid provision as potential targets for interventions.
- Provides evidence for primary care providers to focus on these factors to preserve functional independence in the elderly population.
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