The Prevalence and Correlates of Activity Limitations Among the Elderly in Informal Caregiving Settings in Colombo District, Sri Lanka: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) reduce the independence of the elderly and compromise the quality of life. Objective: This study examined the prevalence and factors affecting the ADL and IADL limitations of elderly. Methods: In this community based cross-sectional study, a representative sample (n=723) of elderly aged >65 years was obtained by multi-stage cluster sampling. ADL and IADL were assessed using validated Sinhala versions of 10-item Barthel Index and Lawton IADL scales respectively. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to find the factors associated with ADL/IADL limitations. Results: Mean±SD age was 72.23±6.3 years. Mean±SD ADL and IADL scores were 94.42±17.08 (out of 100) and 6.58±2.3 (out of 8) respectively. Of the elderly, 16.9% and 39.4% had more than one ADL and IADL limitations respectively. Out of the ADL limited elderly, 91.8% had IADL limitations. Most of the ADL (80.3%) and IADL (76.5%) limited elderly had more than one chronic disease. Age (75-84 years odds ratio [OR]=3.03, p85 years OR=3.80, p