Abstract
BackgroundThe capability in applying information communication technology (ICT) is crucial to the functional independence of older peoples of community living nowadays. The proper assessment of individuals' capability of ICT application is the corner stone for the future development of telemedicine in our aging population.MethodsWith the recruitment of 300 participants of different functional and social background in home-living, hostel-living, and care-and-attention home living; and through assessing the ability of individuals in instrumental activities of daily living and cognitive assessments, this study aimed at capturing the content validity and construct validity of the Advanced Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (AIADL scale). In addition, this study assess the ability of older peoples in applying ICT and how the functional and social background affects their independence in aging-in-place.ResultsThe AIADL scale showed good test-retest reliability and good-to-excellent internal consistency. To determine if items of the AIADL scale measure various aspects of community living, exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure with “home living and management” and “community living”. Validity analysis with the known-groups method showed a high overall accuracy of prediction of individuals' capability of independent living in the community.ConclusionsThe AIADL scale is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the ability of older adults in handling ICT as part of their instrumental activities in daily living. The scale can reflect capability of older peoples in applying ICT. This instrument can serve as a reference in measuring readiness of individuals in receiving telemedicine and their ability of aging-in-place.
Highlights
The capability in applying information communication technology (ICT) is crucial to the functional independence of older peoples of community living nowadays
Reflecting on the fact that information communication technology (ICT) is becoming an increasingly inseparable part of our modern lives, we have further coined the term advanced instrumental activities of daily living (AIADL) as Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) that have taken into account the technological competencies necessary for independent living within today’s community
These participants included home-living participants (HL) who are functionally and socially independent community dwellers living in their own homes, hostel-living participants (HE) who are independent in terms of self-care and community living but with a need for social support, and care-and-attention home living participants (C&A) who need environmental support as well as assistance with their daily functioning
Summary
The capability in applying information communication technology (ICT) is crucial to the functional independence of older peoples of community living nowadays. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) describe activities necessary for adaptation to the environment and emphasize community activities, such as shopping, cooking, transportation, and other types of activities including housekeeping. These activities are key life tasks that older adults need to manage to live in the community and be functionally independent [2, 3]. Reflecting on the fact that information communication technology (ICT) is becoming an increasingly inseparable part of our modern lives, we have further coined the term advanced instrumental activities of daily living (AIADL) as IADLs that have taken into account the technological competencies necessary for independent living within today’s community
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