Aging trajectories of subscales in higher-level functional capacity among community-dwelling older Japanese adults: the Otassha study

Abstract

BackgroundMaintaining higher-level functional capacity is important for independent living in older age. The aging trajectory of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC) has three patterns; however, the subscale patterns are unclear.AimsThis study aimed to clarify the aging trajectory patterns of the TMIG-IC subscales among community-dwelling older Japanese.MethodsParticipants were 3,169 community-dwelling older Japanese who participated in the 2012–2022 mail survey of the Otassha study. The aging trajectory patterns of the TMIG-IC total and subscale scores for those aged 65–90 years were identified using group-based trajectory modeling. Further, the combination frequency of the subscale trajectory patterns was determined.ResultsThree patterns were identified: early-onset decreasing, late-onset decreasing, and high-stable.DiscussionThe instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) trajectory was maintained until approximately 80 years of age; however, chronic disease prevailed the most in the early-onset decreasing pattern. The early-onset decreasing pattern of intellectual activity (IA) was present in 25% of participants, showing impaired IA from 65 years of age. The late-onset decreasing pattern of social roles (SR) was present in 30% of participants, showing a sharp decline compared to other subscales. For many people, the patterns of decrease in SR and IA overlapped.ConclusionsTo maintain higher-level functional capacity, interventions that include disease management and prevention of decline in IADL and increase the awareness of the social support provided throughout old age and interventions for people with an early decline in IA should be implemented.