Indicators and Instruments to Assess Components of Disability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering and Health Informatics

Background:

• Aging populations necessitate robust methods for characterizing health and disability.
• Understanding disability components in community-dwelling older adults is crucial for effective interventions.
• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) provides a framework for disability assessment.

Approach:

• A systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
• Searched five major databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase) for relevant observational studies.
• Included 49 studies focusing on older adults and age-related disability modifications.

Key Points:

• Objective measures (dynamometry, cognitive tests, gait speed, endurance tests) assess Body Structures, Body Functions, and Environmental Factors.
• Self-reported measures (Katz Index of ADL, Lawton and Brody IADL) assess Activities and Participation.
• Various instruments effectively identify different disability components in older adults.

Conclusions:

• The summarized measures aid researchers and clinicians in selecting appropriate disability assessment tools.
• Findings can inform the development and improvement of wearable technologies for tailored health monitoring.
• This review supports comprehensive assessment and monitoring of older adults' health and disability dimensions.