Retrospective Study on Limitations of Activities of Daily Living in Geriatric Women

Background

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)" is defined as things we do in daily living including daily activities for self care. The ability or inability to perform them depends on the functional status of the individual. The Activities of Daily Living (ADL) include

Basic ADL

It consists of all self care activities.

Instrumental ADL These are not required for fundamental functioning but to enable the individuals to live independently in the community. The affection of ADL are due to age related changes taking place in different systems of the body. Due to these cumulative factors the individual prefers to adopt a sedentary lifestyle which in turn restricts the ADL. This has led my interest to find out the Limitations of Activities of Daily Living in Geriatrics.

Objectives

1. To compare the limitations between working and nonworking groups 2. To assess which activity is most affected in geriatrics population. 3. To assess which group of activities shows most affection. 4. To compare the affection of activities among the three groups.

Methodology

Design

Cross sectional study.

Population of Study

60 Women in geriatric age group. Inclusion Criteria

Women above the age of 60 yrs.

Exclusion Criteria

Women with obvious pathologies of the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardio-respiratory, sensory systems.

Study Factors

A validated questionnaire (Groningen Activity Restriction Scale)&demographic data was used to assess the limitations of activities of daily living in geriatric women. The questionnaire had 18 items all describing daily activities which were classified into 4 domains: Ambulation, Household Activities, Transfers&Personal Care. Data was collected by direct method and simple percentage was used for calculation in the study.

Results

The data was analyzed&out of 60 women who participated in the study 33.33% women each in the age group of 60yrs- 70yrs (young old), 70yrs-80yrs (middle old) and above 80yrs of age (old old), while 55% were housewives&45% were either retired or working women. Out of the 4 domains for all the age groups, the most affected domain is Ambulation followed by Household Activities then Transfers. Personal Care shows the least affection. But as age advances there is affection of all ADL but the affection differs according to the type of activity.

Conclusion

The most affected domain is ambulation. In that stair climbing is mainly affected. As age advances the ability to carry out the activities goes on detoriating. Physical activity in the early part of life does shows delay in limitations of ADL limitations. Sedentary lifestyle is the main cause for the early changes in the various systems of the body.