Variations in functional status among different groups of elderly people

Functional status differs among populations of elderly, although the extent of differences in types of functions among groups has not been closely examined. This study identifies and compares characteristics among different populations of elderly, using a screening test that measures self-assessment of multiple areas of function. The screening tool used was the Dartmouth COOP Charts, developed for and primarily tested in office medical practices. It has not been used to systematically compare office patients with other groups of elderly.

Dartmouth COOP Charts were administered to five groups of elderly drawn from convenience samples of individuals age 65 and older, including elderly living in senior apartments, those attending community activities, mentally oriented nursing home patients, office patients, and elderly patients not visiting the doctor within the past 6 months. Demographic data, as well as COOP chart results, were obtained.

There were multiple differences in COOP chart scores among the samples of elderly individuals. The greatest differences were in self-reported physical fitness and in the level of difficulty in performing daily activities. Medical office patients not visiting in 6 months had the highest fitness levels. On the other hand, the "social support" availability scale showed no differences among groups. Results from other scales were intermediate among these extremes.

Different samples of elderly yield varying results on several measures of reported physical and emotional health. All convenience samples of the elderly may have somewhat poorer health than the average person age 65 and older. Of the groups studied, those with the poorest function were either older adults in nursing homes or those visiting the doctor's office for treatment.