Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: July | Volume: 9 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 221-226
Association between Poor Socio Economic Status and Decline in Functional Capacity among Female Geriatric Population
Tanu Gupta1, Pratibha Singh2
1Student, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Haryana, India.
2Professor, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Haryana, India.
Corresponding Author: Pratibha Singh
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Ageing is an inevitable and an irreversible process. Improving longevity and declining fertility rates have led to increase in the elderly population globally. Income insecurity is one of the major reasons for increased vulnerability in old age. Due to increased heath care demands and poor socio economic status, the health status of the elderly may deteriorate resulting in declined functional independence. The objective of this study was to find association between socio economic status and decline in functional capacity among female geriatric population.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to March 2019 and 200 female elderly participants aged 60 years and above were selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected using Lawton scale of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Kuppuswamy Socio economic scale (SES) by interview method and analysed using chi square test and multivariate logistic regression.
Results: The prevalence of ADL dependence was 16% and prevalence of IADL dependence was 63%. Maximum percentage of population belonged to middle socio economic class (58.5%) whereas 17% belonged to upper SES and 24.5% belonged to low SES. Dependence increased in individuals with low income while significantly improving in individuals with high income.
Conclusions: Significant association was found between socio economic status and functional dependence. Healthy diet, regular physical exercise, regular health check-ups, support by family, economic independence, legal security and special government schemes for the elderly can improve their health status and nutritional status resulting in improved functional capacity thus promoting healthy aging.
Key words: functional dependence, Elderly, SES, ADL, IADL.