title: Predicting change in activities of daily living: a longitudinal study of the oldest old in Sweden.
abstract: We examined predictors of stability and decline in activities of daily living (ADLs) and mobility in a population-based sample of the oldest old. Respondents were people aged 84 to 90 living in South Central Sweden. Predictors were drawn from three domains: sociodemographic variables, vitality, and physical and psychological health. Using a logistic regression model, we sought to identify variables that were associated with changes in functioning. Over the 2-year interval, we found significant main effects for stability in ADL functioning for three variables: residential status (e.g., living in the community), subjective health, and mastery (n = 142). For mobility, we identified three variables associated with stability: lung function, subjective health, and mastery (n = 137). Over the 4-year period we found that residential status was significantly associated with stability in ADL performance (n = 89), while age, marital status, grip strength, and mastery were significant predictors for stability in mobility (n = 90). The findings can direct researchers toward interventions within particular residential environments that maintain a sense of mastery and an individual's aggressive attitude toward challenging situations.
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802-6504, USA.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Femia
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zarit
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johansson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012112:Residential Facilities; D012424:Rural Population; D013548:Sweden; D014505:Urban Population