Keywords
Dependence
Elderly
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction: Dependency is defined as receiving help from another person to complete the activity. It concludes six basic activities and eight instrumental activities of daily living. Human body undergoes numerous observable changes as we age, and aging is frequently associated with reduction in bodily functions leading to dependency.
Objective: To assess dependency in basic and instrumental activities of daily living among elderly.
Methodology: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in different wards of Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur among 310 elderly during Feb 2023-May 2023. Face to face interview was conducted using convenient sampling technique. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage and chisquare test was used to see the association.
Results: Study showed that 51 (16.5%) elderly were dependent in basic activities of daily living and 122 (39.4%) revealed dependency in instrumental activities of daily living. Regarding components of basic activities of daily living, 105 (33.9%) had dependency in continence followed by bathing 51 (16.5%). Regarding instrumental activities of daily living 210 (67.7%) had dependency in preparing meal, followed by shopping 152 (49%). There was statistically significant association between age group, marital status, having source of income with level of basic dependency (p <0.005). Age group, sex, educational status, marital status, having source of income, currently living-with also showed statistically significant association with level of instrumental dependency (p <0.005).
Conclusion: One out of six elderly showed dependency in basic activities of daily living and more than one third showed dependency in instrumental activities of daily living.
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