Functional status of Iranian older adults: a community-based assessment using EASY-care 2010

Longer life expectancy has increased the number of older adults who live in societies. This has magnified the necessity of a comprehensive needs assessment to define the problem areas in this vulnerable population. Since there has been a paucity of information, this study was designed to assess the needs of older adult people in Iran.

This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2019, in Varamin, Iran. A multistage sampling method was employed and 970 individuals were included and interviewed via telephone calls to answer the full version of the EASY-Care Standard 2010 instrument, inquiring about the need for support in activities of daily living ('independence'), the 'risk of a breakdown in care' (leading to emergency admission to hospital), and the risk of falls.

A total of 970 older adult people (56.7% women and 39.4% rural residents) participated in this study. The greatest need to care for older adults was reported in staying healthy (94.7%), mental health and well-being (94.3%), and accommodation and finance (63.37%). The age group older than 80 had the highest mean score in each of the three scales, including Independence score, Risk of breakdown in care, and Risk of falls. No significant relationship was observed between independence score and gender. The risk of falls, risk of a breakdown in care, and independence score were significantly higher among illiterate, divorced, widowed, and unemployed individuals, as well as older adults with comorbidities and dependent financial status (P: 0.001).

This study identifies socioeconomic factors (illiteracy, unemployment, financial dependence) and health factors (comorbidities, depression) as critical determinants of functional decline and fall risk in older Iranian adults. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated policies addressing education, and financial issues, and promoting mental health services to reduce institutionalization risks and enhance independence among vulnerable populations, particularly women, rural residents, and those aged ≥ 80.