Social integration and its relationship with functional limitations in Chilean older adults

Abstract

Abstract We are experiencing the highest levels of life expectancy and it poses challenges in the maintenance of the functional capacity in old age. This study seeks to determine the relation between social integration and functional limitation in Chilean older adults. Cross-sectional study with baseline of two cohort studies: the SABE cohort (born before 1940) and the Alexandros cohort (born between 1940 and 1948 from Primary Health Care centers), from Santiago. Were considered 1733 elderly. Performance variables were studied in seven Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL): preparing food, managing money, leaving home alone, making purchases, making or receiving calls, doing light housework, organizing and taking medications, and six basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL): bathing, dressing, use of the bathroom, transfer, continence of urine and feeding. Having difficulties or inability to perform at least one activity was classified as having functional limitations. Social integration variables were: participation in community groups, clubs or organizations and in recreational activities. Adjustment variables were: sex, age, educational level, household income, depression, cognitive impairment and multimorbidity. Robust Poisson Regression was performed and prevalence ratios (PR) of functional limitation in ADL and IADL were reported. The level of significance was ≤0.5. Prevalence of functional limitations in ADL was 73.3% and in AIVD was 37.1%. Who participated in recreational activities have a lower prevalence of functional limitation in ADL (PR 0.85; 95%CI 0.80-0.90) and in IADL (PR 0.74; 95% CI0.63-0.86). Participation in community groups, clubs or organizations was associated with a lower prevalence of limitation in ADL (RP 0.78; 95%CI 0.71-0.87), although it was not significantly related to performance in IADL. Greater social integration in adulthood is a protective factor for limitation in ADL and IADL and should be the subject of public policies in Chile. Key messages Social integration seems to be a protective factor for functional limitation in Chilean older adults. Society and public policies should give greater opportunity for the elderly to participate in recreational activities and community groups.