The Trajectory of Activities of Daily Living and Its Influencing Factors in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the trajectory of activities of daily living among older adults in China and its influencing factors. DESIGN: A retrospective, longitudinal study. METHODS: This study was conducted by using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, which collected a set of high-quality micro-data representing middle- and old-aged older adults and their families in China. Older adults who had activities of daily living assessments from at least three time points were included in this study. Univariate analysis was used to explore the factors associated with activities of daily living. A latent growth curve model was applied to analyse the activities of daily living trajectory and its influencing factors. RESULTS: A total of 4760 older adults were included. Activities of daily living showed a no-linear deterioration trend. Women, older age, lower education level, worse self-rated health, a greater number of disability types, a greater number of chronic disease types, and drinking alcoholic beverages were associated with worse activities of daily living at T1. Women, older age, and a greater number of chronic disease types were associated with a faster rate of activities of daily living deterioration. Higher levels of depressive symptoms at T1-T4, and lower social activity diversity at T2-T4 were also associated with worse activities of daily living. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals should pay increased attention to maintaining activities of daily living in older adults, especially for those who are women, of older age, and with multiple chronic conditions. Moreover, promoting the diversity of social activities and improving management of depressive symptoms may contribute to delaying the deterioration of activities of daily living in older adults. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.