title: Compensatory Strategies: Prevalence of Use and Relationship to Physical Function and Well-Being.
abstract: We examine prevalence of four compensatory strategies (assistive devices, receiving help, changing frequency, or method of performance) and their immediate and long-term relationship to well-being. A total of 319 older adults (>70 years) with functional difficulties at home provided baseline data; 285 (89%) provided 12-month data. For 17 everyday activities, the most frequently used strategy was changing method of performance ( M = 10.27 activities), followed by changing frequency ( M = 6.17), assistive devices ( M = 5.38), and receiving help ( M = 3.37; p = .001). Using each strategy type was associated with functional difficulties at baseline ( ps < .0001), whereas each strategy type except changing method predicted functional decline 12 months later ( ps < .0001). Changing frequency of performing activities was associated with depressed mood ( p < .0001) and poor mastery ( p < .0001) at both baseline and 12 months ( ps < .02). Findings suggest that strategy type may be differentially associated with functional decline and well-being although reciprocal causality and the role of other factors in these outcomes cannot be determined from this study.
authors: 1 Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors: Laura N
authors: LN
authors: Gitlin
authors: 2 Philadelphia VA Medical Center, PA, USA.
authors: Laraine
authors: L
authors: Winter
authors: 1 Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors: Ian H
authors: IH
authors: Stanley
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: adaptation; assistive devices; depression; frailty; home care