Publication: Functional Status of Senior Citizens of a Metropolitan City in Morang
Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Functional abilities start to decelerate after the age of 70 and causes need for
assistance to do their basic activities of daily living (BADL) as well as instrumental
activities of daily living (IADL).
Objective
To find out the functional status of senior citizens of a Metropolitan city in Morang.
Method
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Biratnagar Metropolitan
City among 254 senior citizens receiving old age allowance using cluster sampling
technique. Data were collected through face to face interview and measuring height
and weight by researcher herself for the period of four weeks. Basic activities of daily
living and instrumental activities of daily living were assessed using Katz Index of
Basic Activities of Daily Living and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living tool
with some modifications. Chi square test was used to assess the association between
variables.
Result
About 48.4% and 90.6% of senior citizens had dependency in Basic Activities of
Daily Living and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living respectively. The most
common dependency for Basic Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities
of Daily Living was control of urination and defecation (31.9%) and using telephones
(75.2%) respectively. Basic activities of daily living was significantly associated with
age (p=0.0017), sex (p=0.013), literacy status (p=0.001), years of smoking (p=0.0029),
social participation (0.0029) and history of fall within 1 year (p=0.038). Likewise
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living was significantly associated with age (p=0.03),
sex (p=0.035), literacy status (p=0.002), exercise (p=0.033) and social participation
(p= 0.001).
Conclusion
It is concluded that about half of the senior citizens are dependent in Basic Activities
of Daily Living and almost all of them are dependent in Instrumental Activities of Daily
Living. So senior citizen clubs/ groups are suggested to be strengthened which may
be effective in promoting independence, extending an active and healthy ageing.
KEY WORDS
Basic activities of daily living , Functional status, Instrumental activities of daily living,
Senior citizens
Description
Koirala P,1 Shrestha S,2 Koirala M2
1Department of Nursing
Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center
Bhaktapur, Nepal
2Department of Nursing
Maharajgunj Nursing Campus
Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords
Basic activities of daily living, Functional status, Instrumental activities of daily living, Senior citizens