Functional Status of Elderly in a Rural community at Ernakulam District

A descriptive study was conducted to assess the functional status of elderly in a rural community of Ernakulam district.

Over the last decades, the world's elderly population has increased exponentially and this tendency will continue during the coming years¹. Today, 8.5 percent of people worldwide (617 million) are aged 65 and over. This percentage is projected to jump to nearly 17 percent of the world's population by 2050 (1.6 billion).² Loss of independence occurs as people age due to mobility restrictions, frailty, decreased functional fitness and cognitive abilities¹. The purpose of this study was to assess the functional status of elderly in a rural community and to find its association with selected demographic variables.

A descriptive analytical study was conducted in a rural area of Ernakulam district. 340 elderly individuals, aged 60 years and above were selected by convenient sampling technique and interviewed by using structured interview schedule. Ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was assessed by using Katz Index of activities of daily living Scale and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) was assessed by using Lawton Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale.

While assessing ADL by using Katz Index Scale, out of 340 elderly persons, 95.8% were independent to perform ADL. The functional status of elderly assessed by using Lawton Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale showed that, 87.3% were independent to perform IADL. 90% were able to use telephone, 81% were independent to do shopping, 89% were able to prepare food, 88% were able to perform housekeeping tasks, 89% were able to wash their clothes and 78% were able to go out independently. 94% of subjects were able to take responsibities of own medications and 90% were able to handle financial matters.

The findings of the present study highlight that majority of elderly subjects had independence in ADL and IADL.