Relationship Between Self-Reported Functional Limitations and Physical Performance Status Among Aged Home Care Clients

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective: This study investigated relationship between self-reported functional limitations and measured physical performance among aged homecare clients. Design: Baseline measurement of a physical performance intervention. Setting: Health centers in six semi-urban and rural municipalities in Finland. Participants: One hundred and seventy-one aged (mean age 82 years.) home care clients. Measurements: Self-reported limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), functional balance by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), physical performance by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the 10-meter walking time test, and the hand grip strength test. Results: Significant interdependencies between the number of functional limitations and the measured performance status were found. In the hierarchical regression model, measures of performance status explained 40% of the variance of the functional limitations. Conclusions: A threshold of physical performance status on which people seem to report no or minimal limitation was found. Physical performance measures are independent predictors of functional limitations, and therefore, interventions should directly address factors associated with physical performance in order to enhance autonomy of aged persons.