Functioning and Self-Rated Health in the Oldest Old Community-Dwelling Women: A Four-Year Longitudinal Study. (1st June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Idland, Gro; Småstuen, Milada Cvancarova; Engedal, Knut; Bergland, Astrid
• Is Part Of: Physical & occupational therapy in geriatrics. Volume 32:Number 2(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2014-06-01
• Subjects: Physical therapy for older people -- Periodicals; Occupational therapy for older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 615.820846
• DOI: 10.3109/02703181.2014.895794
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0270-3181

Abstract

<abstract> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p> <italic>Aims</italic>: The aim of this study was to investigate functioning and self-rated health (SRH) among the oldest old community-dwelling women. <italic>Methods</italic>: The numbers of community-dwelling women who took part in this four-year study with three study waves were 113 (T¹), 79 (T²), and 41 (T³), respectively. The participants mean baseline (T¹) age was 88 years. Functioning measurements were: Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-12). <italic>Results</italic>: A statistically significant increase in the prevalence of disability (need for personal assistance in at least one basic ADL item) was revealed from T¹ through to T³. The TUG, MMSE-12 and SRH declined significantly from T¹ to T²; however, the decline attenuated from T² to T³. Better baseline TUG and MMSE-12 were independently associated with remaining nondisabled at T³. <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Our results indicate the importance of enhancing mobility aiming at reducing the period of disability.</p> </abstract>