Decreased Autonomy In Community-Dwelling Older Adults

The present study aims to explore characteristics associated with low perception of autonomy among community-dwelling older adults.

This original research was derived from a cross-sectional study based on the study COSFOMA with information from 1,252 (60 years and older) community-dwelling older adults whose data was obtained through a questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, as well as different scales of geriatric assessment. The perception of autonomy was evaluated with the autonomy sub-scale of the Quality of Life Scale of Older Adults from the World Health Organization (World Health Organization Quality of Life of Older Adults, WHOQOL-OLD).

The mean (SD) age of the 1,252 community-dwelling older adults participating in the study was 68.5 (7.2) years. The average perception of autonomy was 65.3 (18.2) points out of 100. In the final logistic regression model, schooling <6 years (Odds Ratio, OR = 2.1, 95% Confidence Interval, CI = 1.5-2.9), low social support (OR = 1.6, 1.2-2.2), low spirituality (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.9-3.4), presence of cognitive impairment (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4-2.5), anxiety (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.5), and limitation in activities of daily living (ADL) (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.2) were statistically associated with the presence of low autonomy in older adults.

The perception of autonomy among community-dwelling older adults is moderate. Social support and spirituality, as well as cognitive impairment, anxiety, and limitations in ADL, play a significant role for degree of perceived autonomy in this population. Health professionals can use this information to promote participation in decision-making processes through programs that improve quality of life.