Factors associated with IADL independence: implications for OT practice.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Global population aging necessitates understanding factors influencing independent living in older adults.
• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) are crucial for enabling older adults to age in place.
• Further research into predictors of IADL independence is vital for supporting aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between age, depressive symptoms, and leisure participation with IADL independence.
• To determine the relative importance of these factors in predicting IADL independence among older adults.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing an existing dataset.
• Inclusion of 98 older adults (age 60+) residing in senior housing or independent homes.
• Hierarchical multiple regression analysis to assess predictor significance.

Main Results:

• The combined model of age, depressive symptoms, and leisure participation significantly predicted IADL independence (p < 0.001), explaining 31% of the variance.
• Age was the strongest predictor, accounting for 11.40% of the variance.
• Depressive symptoms (7.30%) and leisure participation (4.30%) also significantly and uniquely contributed to IADL independence.

Conclusions:

• Age, depressive symptoms, and leisure participation are significant predictors of IADL independence in older adults.
• Leisure participation and non-pharmacological interventions for depression may enhance IADL independence.
• Findings support the integration of social and psychological interventions into geriatric care to promote aging in place.