No changes in bone mineral density following total knee arthroplasty using an all-polyethylene tibial component.

PURPOSE: Polyethylene particles produced from metal-backed tibial (MBT) implants are understood to contribute to bone loss and component loosening. This, along with advanced surgical techniques, improved materials and increasing costs, has renewed interest in all-polyethylene tibias (APTs). We investigated peri-APT bone mineral density (BMD) in patients, expecting to find no differences between two post-operative values. METHODS: Patients over 65 years, with BMI ≤ 37.5 kg/m2 and no previous joint replacements were recruited to have computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty using an APT. The study cohort (n = 27) had mean age of 71.9 (SD 4.35) and BMI of 31.2 (SD 3.8). The BMD examinations were performed 6 weeks and 18 months post-operatively. Six regions of interest (ROI) were identified on anterior/posterior and lateral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. For each ROI, BMD relative differences (RDs) were determined between limbs and RDs at the two time points were compared. RESULTS: No differences were found between the RDs for any ROI. No revisions or complications were reported. At 18 months post-operatively, 79.2% of the cohort were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome of their surgery and Oxford Knee Scores improved significantly compared to pre-operatively (p < 0.001). Mean knee range of motion was 102° (SD 10.7°), and mean leg alignment was 2.0° valgus (1-6°valgus). CONCLUSION: Results from BMD analysis suggest that implants were well fixated without compromising function. We believe that using APTs with computer navigation is a viable cheaper option to MBTs for patients who are less active, have lower BMI and good bone quality.

Asociación entre dependencia funcional y calidad de vida en pacientes adultos mayores oncológicos / Association between functional dependence and quality of life in older adult oncology patients

RESUMEN Introducción: La presencia de comorbilidades modula el proceso de envejecimiento, el diagnóstico de cáncer puede comprometer de manera importante la salud del adulto mayor, lo cual repercute en su calidad de vida. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre la dependencia funcional y la calidad de vida en pacientes oncológicos adultos mayores tratados con radioterapia. Métodos: Estudio analítico retrospectivo, realizado en 181 pacientes ambulatorios del Centro Médico Naval del Callao, Perú, varones, mayores de 60 años. Se valoró la dependencia funcional mediante los índices de Barthel y el de Lawton; y la calidad de vida mediante la escala de calidad de vida en adultos mayores de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (WHOQoL-Old). Resultados: Se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre dependencia funcional y calidad de vida, tanto para las actividades básicas de la vida diaria (PR= 1,04 [IC 95 %; 1,01-1,07]) como para las actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria (PR= 1,08 (IC 95 %: 1,01 - 1,13). Conclusiones: En los pacientes adultos mayores oncológicos tratados con radioterapia, se encuentra asociación significativa entre dependencia funcional y una pobre calidad de vida.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The presence of comorbidities modulates the aging process, the diagnosis of cancer can significantly compromise the health of the elderly, which affects their quality of life. Objective: Determine the association between the functional dependence and the quality of life in elderly oncology patients treated with radiotherapy. Methods: Retrospective analytical study, carried out in 181 outpatients of Centro Médico Naval del Callao, Perú, male, older than 60 years. The functional dependence was assessed with Barthel index and Lawton scale; and the quality of life was assessed with World Health Organization Quality of Life-Older Adults Module (WHOQoL-Old). Results: A statistically significant association was found between functional dependence and quality of life, for both the basic activities of daily living (PR= 1.04 [IC 95 %: 1.01-1.07]), and the instrumental activities of daily living (PR= 1.08 [IC 95 %: 1.01 - 1.13]). Conclusion: There was significant association between the functional dependence and the poor quality of life in the elderly oncology patients treated with radiotherapy.

When Movement Moves: Study Protocol for a Multi-Method Pre/Post Evaluation Study of Two Programmes; the Danish Team Twin and Cycling Without Age.

Physical activity (PA) can improve physical, mental, and social health, leading to quality of life (QoL). However, some are unable to participate independently due to age-related impairments or disabilities. This study protocol presents the design, methods, outcomes, strengths and limitations of the study "When Movement Moves" (WMM). WMM investigates whether indirect PA in a social context, where persons are unable to participate independently, can result in outcomes similar to those of independent PA, by evaluating the effects of disabled's, elderly, volunteers', relatives' and nursing staff's participation in either the running programme (Team Twin) or cycling programme (Cycling Without Age). Both programmes seek to enhance QoL through indirect PA in a social context, making PA possible for elderly and disabled persons through PA conducted by abled-bodied volunteers. WMM is a multi-method 12-16-week pre/post evaluation with quality of life, physical, mental and social health as main outcomes. Pre/post measurements consist of questionnaires, clinical examinations, and physical and cognitive appraisal. Throughout, interviews and participant observations will be conducted. Combined results will provide essential knowledge on the effects and experiences of indirect PA. Explorative data will pave the way for further research. Findings may inform policies, guidelines and health promotion among the elderly and disabled.

Buenas prácticas en la visita domiciliaria integral en atención primaria chilena / Good practices in the integral home care visits in Chilean primary care

La atención del paciente en el domicilio, constituye una excelente alternativa de salud, con múltiples beneficios demostrados, en especial para un grupo de pacientes con dificultades de acceso. El objetivo principal de una visita domiciliaria integral (VDI) es favorecer el autocuidado en salud, ofreciendo una atención de salud centrada en la persona y su familia, considerando las variables biopsicosociales, facilitando el acceso a la atención y redes de apoyo, mejorando así su calidad de vida y potenciando su recuperación y rehabilitación. Una VDI, consta de tres etapas: planificación previa de la visita en base a los motivos de consulta principales; la ejecución de la visita en sí, en la cual se busca generar el vínculo, observar el ambiente familiar y priorizar los problemas biopsicosociales para lograr cambios e intentar mejorar la situación; y por último, realizar un monitoreo y evaluación del caso. El objetivo de este artículo es brindar una breve sistematización al equipo de salud de atención primaria de salud, para que puedan comprender la relevancia y el proceso del desarrollo de una VDI, sumado a síntesis de buenas prácticas para el trabajo eficiente en equipo

Home care visits are an excellent chance of health attention, with multiple proven benefits, specially, for a group of patients with access difficulties. The main objective of an integral home care visit is to promote self-care in health, offering a person and family centered care, taking in consideration biopsychosocial variables, facilitating the access to healthcare systems and support networks, improving their quality of life and enhancing their recovery and rehabilitation. An integral home care visit, has mainly three stages: planification of the visit with anticipation according to the main complaints; the execution of the visit itself, which seeks to create an initial bond, observe the family and domestic environment, prioritize biopsychosocial problems to achieve changes and try to improve the situation; and at last, to monitor and evaluate the case. The objective of this article is to provide a brief systematization to the primary health care team, so that they can understand the relevance and the process of developing an integral home care visit, added to a synthesis of good practices to achieve an efficient interdisciplinary team work.

Knee extension strength and handgrip strength are important predictors of Timed Up and Go test performance among community-dwelling elderly women: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Handgrip and knee extension strengths have each been used to characterize disability. However, it has been reported that the association between handgrip and knee extension strengths is weak. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of knee extensor and handgrip muscle strength on Timed Up and Go (TUG) test results among elderly women with worse (≥ 10 seconds) and better (< 10 seconds) performance, after controlling for confounders. DATA AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on a sample selected according to convenience, carried out in a federal public institution of higher education. METHODS: Assessment of handgrip was carried out using the Jamar dynamometer (Lafayette Instrument Company, Inc., Lafayette, United States). Knee extensor muscle performance was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3 Pro; Biodex Medical Systems, Inc., United States), The confounding factors were education, age, comorbidities, body mass index and Geriatric Depression Scale and Human Activity Profile scores. Functional performance was assessed through the TUG test. A backward linear regression model was used. RESULTS: 127 elderly women performed the TUG test in more than 10 seconds and 93 in less than 10 seconds. However, regardless of test performance, handgrip strength and knee extension strength comprised the reduced final model. CONCLUSIONS: Knee extension strength and handgrip strength might be particularly useful indicators for measuring disability.

Requirements for an Electronic Health Tool to Support the Process of Help Seeking by Caregivers of Functionally Impaired Older Adults: Co-Design Approach.

BACKGROUND: In Quebec, Canada, many public, community, and private organizations provide resources to caregivers of functionally impaired older adults. Nevertheless, these resources may be difficult for caregivers to find. A co-design study was conducted to address the gap between caregivers and access to resources. The purpose of this study was to support the process of help seeking by caregivers of functionally impaired older adults through electronic health (eHealth). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to focus on the identification of functional and content requirements for an eHealth tool to support the help-seeking process of caregivers of functionally impaired older adults. METHODS: This study uses a co-design process based on qualitative action research approach to develop an eHealth tool with health and social service professionals (HSSPs), community workers, and caregivers. The participants acted as co-designers in identifying requirements for the tool. A total of 4 design workshops and 1 advisory committee session were held in different locations in Quebec, Canada. Activities were videotaped and analyzed with a conceptual framework of user experience. RESULTS: A total of 11 caregivers, 16 community workers, and 11 HSSPs participated in identifying the requirements for the eHealth tool. Several functional and content requirements were identified for each user need (19). Content requirements differed depending on the category of participant, corresponding to the concept of user segmentation in the design of information and communication technology. Nevertheless, there were disagreements among co-designers about specific functionalities, which included (1) functionalities related to the social Web, (2) functionalities related to the evaluation of resources for caregivers, and (3) functionalities related to the emerging technologies. Several co-design sessions were required to resolve disagreements. CONCLUSIONS: Co-designers (participants) were able to identify functional and content requirements for each of the previously identified needs; however, several discussions were required to achieve consensus. Decision making was influenced by identity, social context, and participants' knowledge, and it is a challenge to reconcile the different perspectives. The findings stressed the importance of allowing more time to deal with the iterative aspect of the design activity, especially during the identification of requirements of an eHealth tool. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/11634.

Impaired Financial Capacity in Late-Life Depression: Revisiting Associations with Cognitive Functioning.

OBJECTIVES: Impairment in financial capacity is an early sign of cognitive decline and functional impairment in late life. Cognitive impairments such as executive dysfunction are well documented in late-life major depression; however, little progress has been made in assessing associations of these impairments with financial incapacity. METHODS: Participants included 95 clinically depressed and 41 nondepressed older adults without dementia. Financial capacity (assessed with the Managing Money scale of the Independent Living Scale), cognitive functioning (comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation), and depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale - 24) were assessed. T tests were used to assess group differences. Linear regression was used to analyze data. RESULTS: Depressed participants performed significantly lower on financial capacity (t = 2.98, p < .01). Among depressed participants, executive functioning (B = .24, p < .05) was associated with reduced financial capacity, controlling for age, gender, education, depression severity, and other cognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS: Our results underscore the importance of assessing financial capacity in older depressed adults as they are likely vulnerable to financial abuse even in the absence of dementia. It will be valuable to assess whether treatment for depression is an effective intervention to improve outcomes.

The trajectory of functional decline over the last 4 months of life in a palliative care population: A prospective, consecutive cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding current patterns of functional decline will inform patient care and has health service and resource implications. AIM: This prospective consecutive cohort study aims to map the shape of functional decline trajectories at the end of life by diagnosis. DESIGN: Changes in functional status were measured using the Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Status Scale. Segmented regression was used to identify time points prior to death associated with significant changes in the slope of functional decline for each diagnostic cohort. Sensitivity analyses explored the impact of severe symptoms and late referrals, age and sex. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: In all, 115 specialist palliative care services submit prospectively collected patient data to the national Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration across Australia. Data on 55,954 patients who died in the care of these services between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015 were included. RESULTS: Two simplified functional decline trajectories were identified in the last 4 months of life. Trajectory 1 has an almost uniform slow decline until the last 14 days of life when function declines more rapidly. Trajectory 2 has a flatter more stable trajectory with greater functional impairment at 120 days before death, followed by a more rapid decline in the last 2 weeks of life. The most rapid rate of decline occurs in the last 2 weeks of life for all cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Two simplified trajectories of functional decline in the last 4 months of life were identified for five patient cohorts. Both trajectories present opportunities to plan for responsive healthcare that will support patients and families.

Examining practical nursing experiences to discover ways in which to retain and invigorate the remaining functions of the elderly with a demented and complex disability in nursing homes.

AIM: The bedridden elderly with moderate-to-severe dementia account for a large proportion of the residents in nursing homes and form a specialized group requiring customized care in order to encourage their remaining functions, which determine the quality of their residual life. The purpose of this study was to search for ways to invigorate and foster the remaining functions of this complex-disability group, based on practical nursing strategies in nursing homes. METHODS: The qualitative thematic analysis was done by conducting in-depth interviews with 29 nurses working at 11 different nursing homes in South Korea. RESULTS: This study proposed four main themes and 19 sub themes as keys for providing specialized nursing care to the elderly with physical and cognitive disabilities. The main themes encourage the residents' remaining functions: (i) accurate identification of an elderly resident's physical, cognitive, and behavioral baseline is necessary in order to determine their functional levels; (ii) nurses provide meticulous management to support the remaining functions in order to prevent further deterioration; (iii) optimized know-how, based on accumulated experience and knowledge, is reflected in nursing strategies that maximize the effects of nursing interventions; and (iv) steady compliance with nursing guidelines and standards in nursing homes creates the best therapeutic environment and brings unexpected positive changes in the elderly's status. CONCLUSION: A practical nursing strategy to target the group with a demented and complex disability in nursing homes was developed through thematic analysis of the empirical knowledge of nurses. The findings provide new insights for developing specialized nursing interventions and practical nursing models in long-term care facilities.

Developing a comprehensive measure of mobility: mobility over varied environments scale (MOVES).

BACKGROUND: While recent work emphasizes the multi-dimensionality of mobility, no current measure incorporates multiple domains of mobility. Using existing conceptual frameworks we identified four domains of mobility (physical, cognitive, social, transportation) to create a "Mobility Over Varied Environments Scale" (MOVES). We then assessed expected patterns of MOVES in the Canadian population. METHODS: An expert panel identified survey items within each MOVES domain from the Canadian Community Health Survey- Healthy Aging Cycle (2008-2009) for 28,555 (weighted population n = 12,805,067) adults (≥45 years). We refined MOVES using principal components analysis and Cronbach's alpha and weighted items so each domain was 10 points. Expected mobility trends, as assessed by average MOVES, were examined by sociodemographic and health factors, and by province, using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: MOVES ranged from 0 to 40, where 0 represents individuals who are immobile and 40 those who are fully mobile. Mean MOVES was 29.58 (95% confidence interval (CI) 29.49, 29.67) (10th percentile: 24.17 (95% CI 23.96, 24.38), 90th percentile: 34.70 (CI 34.55, 34.85)). MOVES scores were lower for older, female, and non-white Canadians with worse health and lower socioeconomic status. MOVES was also lower for those who live in less urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: MOVES is a holistic measure of mobility for characterizing older adult mobility across populations. Future work should examine individual or neighborhood predictors of MOVES and its relationship to broader health outcomes. MOVES holds utility for research, surveillance, evaluation, and interventions around the broad factors influencing mobility in older adults.

Impact of continuous in-home rehabilitation on quality of life and activities of daily living in elderly clients over 1 year.

AIM: To verify the effect of in-home rehabilitation on quality of life and activities of daily living in elderly clients. METHODS: In this non-randomized controlled intervention trial, elderly participants were separated into a rehabilitation or a non-rehabilitation group (n = 100 each). The non-rehabilitation group received basic in-home nursing care, including assistance with cooking, cleaning, toileting, meals and medication. The rehabilitation group received a physical treatment program provided by a licensed professional once a week and basic nursing care in the home. For each group, quality of life and activities of daily living were assessed approximately every 3 months over a 1-year period. Quality of life was evaluated using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, and activities of daily living were evaluated based on the Functional Independence Measure. RESULTS: The rehabilitation group showed statistically significant improvements in both quality of life and activities of daily living. In contrast, the non-rehabilitation group, although showing slight improvement in quality of life at 9 months, showed almost no effects at the other time-points and no significant changes in activities of daily living over the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that long-term continuous in-home rehabilitation might improve quality of life and activities of daily living in elderly clients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1866-1872.

Kinesiophobia is not associated with disability in elderly women with acute low back pain: Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE) Brazil study results.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The study of low back pain (LBP) is complex, and the physical and psychological aspects, including kinesiophobia, should be considered. Several studies have investigated the relationship between kinesiophobia and functionality in patients with chronic LBP. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no studies have investigated the association between kinesiophobia and self-reported assessments of disability and physical performance in elderly patients with acute LBP. PURPOSE: The study aimed to investigate the association between kinesiophobia and self-reported and physical performance measures among the elderly with acute LBP. DESIGN: This was an observational, cross-sectional, ancillary study of the Back Complaints in the Elders study, a longitudinal observational epidemiologic research project by an international consortium involving Brazil, the Netherlands, and Australia. PATIENT SAMPLE: Sample selection was carried out by convenience. The study included women from the community aged 60 years old and older who presented with a new episode of LBP. Volunteers with severe diseases, as well as visual, hearing, and mobility losses, or cognitive dysfunction, were excluded. Four hundred fifty nine elderly women (mean age: 69.0±6.1 years) were included. OUTCOME MEASURES: Kinesiophobia was evaluated by Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), subscale FABQ-Phys. Functionality was investigated by the Roland-Morris Questionnaire and the gait speed test. METHODS: Statistical analysis was performed using hierarchical linear regression model. Statistical significance was established at the level of .05. RESULTS: The additional predictive value because of the inclusion of the FABQ-Phys was 0.1%, using the Roland-Morris score, and 0.2% for the gait speed test. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study to investigate the association between the FABQ-Phys and functionality in elderly patients with acute LBP. The results provide preliminary evidence that kinesiophobia assessed by the FABQ-Phys cannot be generalized to disability.

Patterns of sedentary behavior and physical function in older adults.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purposes of this study were to examine the relationship between various objectively measured sedentary behavior (SB) variables and physical function in older adults, examine the measurement properties of an SB questionnaire, and describe the domains of SB in our sample. METHODS: Forty-four older adults (70 ± 8 years, 64 % female) had their SB measured via activPAL activity monitor and SB questionnaire for 1 week followed by performance-based tests of physical function. RESULTS: The pattern of SB was more important than total SB time. Where a gender by SB interaction was found, increasing time in SB and fewer breaks were associated with worse function in the males only. The SB questionnaire had acceptable test-retest reliability but poor validity compared to activPAL-measured SB. The majority of SB time was spent watching television, using the computer and reading. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further evidence for the association between SB and physical function and describes where older adults are spending their sedentary time. This information can be used in the design of future intervention to reduce sedentary time and improve function in older adults.

Criterios de valoración geriátrica integral en adultos mayores con dependencia moderada y severa en Centros de Atención Primaria en Chile / Functional geriatric assessment in primary health care

The functional assessment of moderately or severely dependent older people encompasses social, psychological and biological aspects that may influence their quality of life and their degree of independence. This paper reviews the global geriatric assessment that should be performed in primary health care (PHC) for moderately or severely dependent older people. Since 2012 in PHC in Chile, the norm establishes that the degree of independence of older people should be assessed using the Barthel scale and caregiver stress should be evaluated using Zarit scale. People with severe disability should receive home care. We recommend to evaluate also cognitive aspects using the minimental state examination (MMSE) to Barthel Index or using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), since they are closely associated with functional capacity.

Functional decline and satisfaction with nursing care among older hospitalized adults.

Around hospitalization, older adults often experience functional decline which can be a reflection of their need for nursing care. Given a shortage of nurses, determining the relationship between functional change and patients' satisfaction with nursing care can help to gauge the need for care. We assessed this relationship in a mixed prospective-correlational cohort study with 393 patients, 70 years or older. The art, tangible aspects and general satisfaction with nursing care were measured through interviews conducted at discharge. Patients' functional status was assessed at admission and discharge. Decline in functioning during hospitalization was the most powerful predictor of higher satisfaction with art and tangible aspects of nursing care in multivariate regression (ß = 0.17-0.19, P < 0.01). This finding suggests that patients whose functioning deteriorates during hospitalization, have a greater need for and more contact with professional nursing care, and therefore report higher satisfaction with specific aspects of nursing care.

The effects of shared situational awareness on functional and hospital outcomes of hospitalized older adults with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Functional decline of hospitalized older adults is common and triggers health care expenditures. Physical therapy can retard the functional decline that occurs during hospitalization. This study aims to examine whether shared situational awareness (SSA) intervention may enhance the benefits of physical therapy for hospitalized older persons with a common diagnosis, heart failure. METHOD: An SSA intervention that involved daily multidisciplinary meetings was applied to the care of functionally declining older adults admitted to the medicine floor for heart failure. Covariates were matched between the intervention group (n=473) and control group (n=475). Both intervention and control groups received physical therapy for ≥0.5 hours per day. The following three outcomes were compared between groups: 1) disability, 2) transition to skilled nursing facility (SNF, post-acute care setting), and 3) 30-day readmission rate. RESULTS: Disability was lower in the intervention group (28%) than in the control group (37%) (relative risk [RR] =0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.97; P=0.026), and transition to SNF was lower in the intervention group (22%) than in the control group (30%) (RR =0.77; 95% CI, 0.39-0.98; P=0.032). The 30-day readmission rate did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: SSA intervention enhanced the benefits of physical therapy for functionally declining older adults. When applied to older adults with heart failure in the form of daily multidisciplinary meetings, SSA intervention improved functional outcomes and reduced transfer to SNFs after hospitalization.

Influência da circunferência abdominal sobre o desempenho funcional de idosas / Infuence of waist circumference on elderly women’s functional performance

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar o desempenho funcional de idosas segundo a medida de suas circunfêrencias abdominais (CA). Foram avaliadas 48 idosas, divididas nos grupos 1, com CA>88 cm, e grupo 2, de CA<88 cm. A funcionalidade foi avaliada pelo teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6') e pelo teste de desempenho físico modificado (TDFM), não-dependente de condicionamento cardiovascular. O grupo 1, cujos valores de peso e índice de massa corporal foram estatisticamente superiores (p<0,05) aos do grupo 2, percorreu distância média menor, quando comparado ao grupo 2 (p<0,05), e obteve escores médios inferiores no TDFM (p<0,05). Os dados mostram que mulheres idosas com circunferência abdominal superior a 88 cm tiveram pior desempenho nos testes funcionais, sugerindo que a obesidade abdominal pode contribuir para o declínio funcional precoce e conseqüente incapacidade nessa população.

The purpose of this study was to compare physical performance of elderly women according to their waist circumference (WC). Forty-eight elderly women were divided into group 1, with WC>88 cm, and group 2, with WC<88 cm. Physical function was assessed by means of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and by the modified physical performance test (MPPT), non-dependent on physical fitness. Group 1 mean body mass and body mass index measures were statistically higher (p<0.05) than group 2's; group 1 also walked significantly shorter mean distances than group 2 (p<0.05), and scored lower at the MPPT (p<0.05). Data thus show that elderly women with over 88 cm waist circumference had poor performance at physical function tests, suggesting that the presence of visceral obesity may contribute to functional decline and further impairment among elderly women.

A Survey on Functional Status among Low-Income Older Adults Living at Home / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to analyze the functional status of low income elderly living at home according to their socio-economic factors, sensory function, health status, medical service utilization, commodity and types of chronic disease. METHOD: Functional status was defined by the level of mobility, ADL and IADL categorized as independently functional, mildly impaired, moderately disabled, and severely disabled. The data was collected by home-visit interviews with 567 community dwelling adults who were 65 years of age or more with low a income status subsidized by government in ChonAn. RESULTS: 9.9% of community dwelling older adults were severely disabled, and 44.4% were moderately disabled in their functional status. There were significant differences in the functional status by age, education, religion, and types of family structure. The older adults with hearing impairment or dental problems had a significantly higher rate of severe disability. Self-rated health status and medical service utilization were also significant factors to the differences in functional status. The functional status of older adults was also significantly related to the presence of chronic health problems such as chronic back pain, stroke, and Alzheimer-dementia. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that community dwelling older adults with low income status were more functionally disabled in comparison to general older adults at national level, while the relating factors to their functional status seemed similar to other studies on older adults. Further studies were suggested to look into functional status longitudinally and focus on the changes of functional status by managing modifiable influencing factors.