[Functional status of very old people in urban area: the Itabashi Oldest-Old Study I].
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.
Gondo
Yasuyuki
Y
Department of Dementia Intervention, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.
Furuna
Taketo
T
Kobayashi
Erika
E
Inagaki
Hiroki
H
Sugiura
Miho
M
Masui
Yukie
Y
Iwasa
Hajime
H
Abe
Tsutomu
T
Imuta
Hiromi
H
Homma
Akira
A
Suzuki
Takao
T
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