Abstract
Purpose. This study explores the extent to which personal and environmental factors explain participation in daily activities and social roles of older adults with chronic conditions.Method. Two hundred older adults with chronic conditions completed the following assessments: Assessment of Life Habits (participation); Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (social support); Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (balance confidence); Timed Up and Go Test (mobility capacity); and Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (depression symptomatology).Results. Mobility and balance confidence explained 30% of the level of participation in daily activities and 24% of participation in social roles, whereas social support and depression did not contribute to the explanation of participation. When explaining participation in daily activities, sex had a significant contribution to the model.Conclusions. Participation accomplishment is explained by personal factors related to an elder's physical and mental ability while sex differences had an important role for explaining accomplishment of daily activities. Additional aspects of participation, environmental barriers, and level of disability, are key factors identified for further inquiry.
Highlights
The World Health Organisation [1] recognises participation as a key indicator of human health and well being
This study explores the extent to which personal and environmental factors explain participation in daily activities and social roles of older adults with chronic conditions
The results indicate that balance confidence and mobility capacity, categorised under personal factors according to the Disability Creation Process (DCP) model, explained a considerable portion of total participation, participation in daily activities and participation in social roles
Summary
The World Health Organisation [1] recognises participation as a key indicator of human health and well being. Health professionals consider participation as a significant outcome measure of their therapeutic interventions, and are interested in enhancing their clients’ participation in desired roles and life situations [2]. For the health professional working with older adults living with chronic conditions, enhancing participation is critical and can be a challenge because individuals with chronic conditions are often at risk for participation restriction. Understanding which factors influence participation is central to working therapeutically and effectively with an older adult population. Developmental theories suggest that participation patterns change across the life span. These changes in participation patterns are most notable among the elderly, for those who are faced with health decline, reduced income and death [3].
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