The assessment of functional capacity of elderly people

Background
Physiological and pathological changes in the organisms of elderly people inevitably lead to a gradual decrease in their functional capacity, which progresses with time. In the first place, functional deficits make it difficult to perform more complex activities, such as intellectual and professional activities, and using modern technologies. Next, they manifest as inability to perform basic activities of daily living. Aside from physical sphere, aging also entails various mental limitations.

The aim of the study
To assess the functional capacity of elderly people with regard to sociodemographic factors.

Material and methods
The study involved 274 patients of the primary care center “Wysoczańscy” in Gryfice. The study was conducted from June to September 2016. The inclusion criteria for the study were: at least 65 years of age, and the patient’s state enabling him her to complete selected questionnaires. The research instruments applied in this survey-based study were a self-developed questionnaire, the Barthel Index, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.

Results
The majority of the participants were able to perform basic activities of everyday living according to the Barthel Index. The TUG-based analysis of the functional capacity to walk and the risk of fall indicates that the average respondent was at an elevated risk of fall. Functional capacity to walk according to TUG was statistically significantly related to the age of the respondents (r = 0.46; p = 0.0000) – older age was associated with lower fitness and a higher risk of fall.

Conclusions
Older age was accompanied by lower physical fitness. The women more often than the men showed functional (walking) disability and were more likely to fall.