title: [Functional status of very old people in urban area: the Itabashi Oldest-Old Study I].
abstract: It is predicted that the future increase in the oldest-old (85 years and older) population will have a marked influence on society. However, little is known about the features of various functions in the oldest-old. The purpose of this study was to clarify the functional status of the oldest-old. We surveyed all oldest-old residents in a small area of Itabashi ward in metropolitan Tokyo to clarify their living conditions. The oldest-old themselves and their family members were invited to participate, and 235 out of 311 residents (75.6%) agreed to do so. Forty-two percent of the participants were dependent and needed care from others. The ADL status measured by the Barthel Index showed that 30% of independent participants also had some deterioration of physical function. These results are indicative of increased frailty in the oldest-old. Comparison between independent and dependent (need care from others in daily living) showed that the functional status was lower in dependent group. However, the psychological well-being was the same in this two groups. These results indicate progressive functional deterioation and psychological adaptation to it, in the oldest-old. Further research to elucidate the process of psychological adaptation to frailty is necessary in order to promote the well-being among the oldest-old, in whom functional limitation is evident.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dementia Intervention, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gondo
authors.forename: Taketo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furuna
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inagaki
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.forename: Yukie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masui
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwasa
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imuta
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Homma
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D012648:Self Care; D014504:Urban Health