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Functional status and elderly Puerto Ricans.
1Department of Social Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo Campus.
Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Functional status in the elderly was assessed using 18 questions. Females, urban dwellers, and those with lower education/income faced greater limitations, mirroring global trends.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Assessing the functional status of the elderly is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research indicates demographic and socioeconomic factors influence elderly well-being.
- Understanding functional limitations informs public health strategies and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the ability of elderly individuals to perform daily activities.
- To identify subgroups of the elderly population experiencing significant functional limitations.
- To compare findings with international studies on elderly functional status.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an 18-question survey to assess functional capacity.
- Questions covered background information and ability to perform activities.
- Statistical analyses included Kendall's Tau B and C, Cramer's V, and Phi tests.
Main Results:
- A functional capacity scale ranged from 0 (no difficulty) to 1 (difficulty).
- Elderly females, urban residents, the oldest old, separated individuals, never employed, and those with limited education/income showed the most restricted functional status.
- Identified specific demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with reduced functional capacity.
Conclusions:
- Functional status among the elderly is significantly influenced by gender, location, age, marital status, employment history, education, and income.
- These findings align with patterns observed in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
- Highlights the need for tailored support systems for vulnerable elderly populations globally.