Identifying the relationship among mental status, functional independence and mobility level in Turkish institutionalized elderly: Gender differences

The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in older people living at a rest home in terms of functional independence, mental status and mobility level and to describe the relationship among the three outcome variables. One hundred and thirty-three elderly people (60 women, 73 men),...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of gerontology and geriatrics 2006-05, Vol.42 (3), p.339-350
Main Authors: Dirik, Ahmet, Cavlak, Ugur, Akdag, Beyza
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Functional independence
Homes for the Aged
Humans
Institutionalization
Institutionalized elderly
Locomotion - physiology
Male
Mental Health
Mental status
Mobility level
Nursing Homes
Personal Autonomy
Sex Factors
Turkey
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in older people living at a rest home in terms of functional independence, mental status and mobility level and to describe the relationship among the three outcome variables. One hundred and thirty-three elderly people (60 women, 73 men), aged 65 years and above were included in the study. The average age was 75.3 ± 6.7 years (range, 65–90 years). Mental status was assessed using the Hodkinson Mental Test (HMT). Functional independence was measured using Functional Independence Measurement (FIM). Mobility level was evaluated using the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI). Elderly women had lower scores regarding all the outcome variables when compared to older men. The older men had higher cognitive performance than women. In addition, women were at low level of mobility and depended upon the daily living activities ( p < 0.05). Both genders showed a significant negative correlation between mental status and functional independence or mobility level, while the correlation between functional independence and mobility level was significantly positive. The data showed that mental impairment decreases both functional status and mobility level of the institutionalized elderly people. Gender difference was found to be an important factor affecting the outcome variables of the study.
ISSN:0167-4943
1872-6976
DOI:10.1016/j.archger.2005.08.007