Self-reported functional status predicts change in level of care in independent living residents of a continuing care retirement community.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that self-reported functional status predicts change in level of care from independent to dependent in residents of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC).


METHODS
Two-year longitudinal descriptive study of change in level of care and survival.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-two residents in the independent-living unit of a non-profit CCRC. Mean age at initial evaluation was 82.3 years, SD 6.2.


METHODS
Predictor variables assessed at baseline were age, sex, physician estimate of functionally significant disease, self-reported functional status, and performance-based hand function. Criterion variables collected at 2-year follow-up were level of care (independent/dependent) and survival (alive/dead).


RESULTS
Self-reported functional status (P less than 0.01) and age (P less than 0.05) were significant predictors of change in level of care in a logistic regression analysis containing all predictor variables. No variable predicted survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported functional status may help to predict dependency in older adults in good health who have few markers of dependency risk.
Falconer
J
J
Northwestern University, Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611.
Naughton
B J
BJ
Hughes
S L
SL
Chang
R W
RW
Singer
R H
RH
Sinacore
J M
JM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D016852:Housing for the Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D015996:Survival Rate