ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

Ageing, an inevitable process, is commonly measured by chronological age and, as a convention,

a person aged 65 years or more is often referred to as ‘elderly.Older Adults should be able to live freely
and with dignity. Even though growing older can occasionally make it harder to live independently,
elders can still keep themselves secure in their own houses with an array of a few initiatives and home
health kits. Occasionally aging's natural effects make living independently more difficult than it used to
be. A decline in independence among older persons can be caused by a variety of factors, including
financial difficulties, mental health problems including loneliness and isolation, and mobility challenges.

According to 2015–2018 BRFSS data, about 20% of US adults aged 18 or older reported
providing care or assistance to a person with a long-term illness or disability in the past 30 days. More
than half of these caregivers help with personal care (such as bathing), and 4 in 5 manage household
tasks such as finances or cleaning. In 2020, the value of this unpaid care for people with dementia was
an estimated $257 billion. Some older adults will experience risks for heart disease and conditions
including stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes. There are 2 to 4 million
Americans aged 60 years or older who are historically disadvantaged, including individuals who have
been marginalized and have very low incomes and who more frequently have higher levels of disability
(CDC, 2013).

The increase in the number of older adults in the United States is unprecedented. In 2019, 54.1
million US adults were 65 or older, representing 16% of the population—or more than 1 in every 7
Americans. Nearly 1 in 4 older adults are members of a racial or ethnic minority group. By 2040, the
number of older adults is expected to reach 80.8 million. By 2060, it will reach 94.7 million, and older
adults will make up nearly 25% of the US population.

METHODS

The study used a quantitative research approach using a descriptive research design. According
to Creswell (2013), the study strategy was based on the real-world setting of problems that urgently
required a solution or methods of implementing solutions. The study focused on the Independence in
Activities of Daily Living (ADL). The surveys were conducted among five (5) older adult (60+) with chronic
health illness such as arthritis, diabetes, COPD, glaucoma, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, heart
disease and etc. The respondents were informed that they may share their medical diagnosis only if they
feel comfortable in disclosing such information. Moreover the questionnaire used in the study was
adapted from the Frail Elderly Functional Assessment (FEFA), a 19-item questionnaire designed to assess
function in frail elderly at very low activity levels. The assessment also focuses on areas that impact on
caregiver burden. Questions address mobility, dealing with meals, dressing, and bathing, ability to
answer the phone or take medications. The questionnaire can be divided into higher functional tasks
such as meal preparation or handling finances and psychomotor skills such as dressing and bathing.

The research team used a survey form through Google forms to facilitate the responses of the
respondents. Each member of the group had been assigned to gather 1 respondent and assist them in
answering the said survey. Furthermore, the survey used the English language, however the group
assisted in translating the questions into Tagalog, whenever applicable. The researchers also asked for
permission to collect data from the selected respondents who fit the profile.

The study was carried out based on the availability of the respondents to begin the survey. The
researchers informed the participants that they can consider their participation at their leisure for the
survey was entirely voluntary and they were informed that they had the right to withdraw anytime
during the survey without jeopardizing their relationship with the researchers. The researchers clarified
some terms for the participants in order for them to answer the survey with full knowledge of their
responsibility as the subject of the study. The researchers advised the participants to answer the
questions with all honesty. Participants were assured that their participation will not cause harm, that all
information was kept confidential and anonymous, and that only pertinent questions were asked. After
the participants answered the survey, the researchers collected and tallied the data for interpretation.
Based on the data, the researchers came up with conclusions and recommendations for the study,
making sure that all obtained responses were kept confidential.

RESULTS

According to the FEFA Scoring, the total score may vary from 0 to 55, where low scores infer
better function and independence in performing ADLs. The 5 respondents scored the following on the
FEFA questionnaire – P.A.=0, V.B.=25, F.G.=0, V.O.=0, J.P.=3.

The results of the study incurred that 4 out of 5 people are able to walk, transfer out of bed, are
able to prepare their own hot dinner, dress themselves in pants, shirt or blouse, slip on shoes, and socks
if clothes are placed out, shower or bathe themselves, use the toilet and bathroom, and independently
sit up without help from another person. On the other hand, all of the respondents were able to turn
over their side in bed, wash their own dishes, manage their money such as paying bills and keeping their
check book, able to eat by mouth and feeding oneself, able to grasp a cup or cloth with their hands, able
to fully extend their arm at shoulder level, all without help from another person. Moreover, 3 out of 5
respondents is able to use the telephone, including dialling and answering the phone, while 2 out 5 is
not able to use the telephone. Furthermore, 3 out 5 respondents were able to take their own
medications every day without help, while the other 2 respondents comprised of one needing another
person to administer their medications and one that does not take medication on a daily basis.

DISCUSSION

The main findings of the study incur that the most of the respondents who suffer a chronic
illness, still maintains a good sense of independence in performing ADLs with little to no help. Moreover,
it is apparent that their condition is maintained with the help of medications that help with their
symptoms, directly affecting their ability to perform ADLs and their quality of life. Furthermore, their
ability to perform ADLs independently, significantly reduces caregiver burden the family or caretaker
may feel in the duration of care for the patient. Furthermore, the presence of multiple chronic
conditions may raise the probability of ADL restrictions, as it is estimated that between 60% and 75% of
elderly aged 65 or older have multiple chronic conditions that reduce the chances of independent living
and can therefore forecast mortality, frailty, and admissions to nursing homes.

Furthermore losing confidence, pride, and independence have been identified in numerous
studies as the most significant psychological problems in the elderly. Older adults may become isolated
and have a decline in self-esteem if they are unable to perform fundamental tasks. Numerous studies
have demonstrated that being able to perform a variety of tasks, such as cooking and grocery shopping,
gives older people a pleasant sense of independence. For this reason, it is crucial to focus on needs that
can increase an elderly person's independence in handling their personal affairs.

CONCLUSION