Abstract
AimThe aim of this study was to identify factors associated with independent living of older people from the point of view of health and functional capacity.BackgroundLiving independently at home is major wish for older people but is depending on health and functional capacity among others. Objective and subjective assessments have been considered important in determining threats for independent living but both of these views have rarely included in the same study.DesignDescriptive, cross‐sectional register‐based study was conducted.MethodsData were collected using the Health and Functional Capacity survey by identifying the factors of health examinations of a cohort (N = 292) of 75‐year old's, born in 1936 (N = 388), in one Finnish medium‐sized municipality in 2011. This study is part of the Functional Ageing project Kaste 2013. The data were analysed statistically by using descriptive analysis, cross‐tabulation and logistic regression.ResultsPartly, different factors were associated with subjective and objective health and functional capacity showing wide range of individuality. Worsening subjective health was associated with worsened self‐assessment of life situation. Worsening subjective health threatens independent living. Factors statistically significantly associated with worsening subjective health were low physical activity, falls during the last 6 months, not managing heavy housework, being sometimes lonely or dejected, having diagnosed diseases or health problems and polypharmacy.
Highlights
Living independently at home is considered the main wish of the majority of older people in European countries (Harrefors et al 2009, Stula 2012)
Factors statistically significantly associated with worsening subjective health were low physical activity, falls during the last 6 months, not managing heavy housework, being sometimes lonely or dejected, having diagnosed diseases or health problems and polypharmacy
Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Summary
Living independently at home is considered the main wish of the majority of older people in European countries (Harrefors et al 2009, Stula 2012). Living independently at home is major wish for older people but is depending on health and functional capacity among others. It is scientifically proven that living independently at home requires a certain state of health and functional capacity (Bravell et al 2007, Beswick et al 2010). Assessed good health and functional capacity have been found to support independent living (Yuen et al 2007, Beswick et al 2010)
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