Archives of gerontology and geriatrics
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Arch Gerontol Geriatr · Jan 2018
Comparative StudyComparing the loss of functional independence of older adults in the U.S. and China.
Functional loss among older adults is known to follow a hierarchical sequence, but little is known about whether such sequences differ across socio-cultural contexts. The aim of this study is to construct activities of daily livings (ADL) scales for oldest-old adults in the United States and China so as to compare their functional loss sequences. ⋯ The results highlight the relative importance of bathing in the functional loss sequence for older adults, regardless of socio-cultural context. Health interventions are needed to address deficits in the bathroom environment, especially in developing countries like China.
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Arch Gerontol Geriatr · Jan 2018
Observational StudyWeakness: The most frequent criterion among pre-frail and frail older Portuguese.
In Portugal, the burden of pre-frailty and frailty in community-dwelling older adults is still unknown. The purpose of this study is to estimate the frequency of frailty in a Portuguese sample with ≥ 65years and to evaluate its associated factors. We also intend to identify which criterion has more impact on the diagnosis of frailty. ⋯ This condition is very prevalent in Portuguese older adults, one fifth are frail whereas half are pre-frail. Weakness identified by low handgrip strength is the most prevalent criterion in pre-frail and frail Portuguese older adults.