| Abstract: | Background: Activities of Daily Living (ADL) are affected by numerous factors, but does this relate significantly to elderly with chronic diseases (such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease)? It has not been studied yet.
Objective: this study investigates the relationship of chronic diseases (such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) obstacles of daily living activities in elderly Taiwanese.
Methods: this study uses data from the Executive Yuan 2007 Bureau of Health publication, “Findings of the Physical and Psychological Health of the Elderly from a Longitudinal Community-Based Study in Taiwan". In 2007, there were 4534 individual cases studies with logistic regression control of socio demographic, lifestyle and other related variables taken into account. The analysis showed a correlation between chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) and obstacles that prevent activities of daily living.
Results: there was a significant correlation between chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease) that prevent obstacles of activities of daily living. Prevention of opportunities for activities of daily living in patients with hypertension was 60% (OR=1.602, p<0.001) when compared with patients without hypertension. Prevention of opportunities for activities of daily living in patients with diabetes was 124% (OR=2.242 high, p<0.001) when compared with patients without diabetes. Prevention of opportunities for activities of daily living in patients with heart disease was 64% (OR=1.639, p<0.001) when compared with patients without heart disease.
Conclusion: elderly with chronic diseases and the occurrence of chronic complications are the main cause of prevention (disability) of activities of daily living for elderly people; among which the greatest in order of comparative impact were diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. In order to maintain an elder's independence and autonomy in his/her daily life, to enhance their lives with self-care, to reduce long-term care needs, promotion of preventative activities against chronic disease risk factors (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc.) is necessary. |
