Older People’s Functional Capacity and Lifestyle Patterns

The study assessed the functional capacity of older people in terms of activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and the older adult’s dietary patterns. It also determined the lifestyle pattern of older people in terms of rest, physical activities/exercises, leisure/ stress-reduction activities as well as the older adult’s views on proper nutrition. A descriptive-quantitative design was used. A total of 60 older Malaysian people living in selected Cheras communities were interviewed. The study employed a modified and researcher-made questionnaire, which has four parts: demographic data, functional capacity, lifestyle patterns and Mini Nutritional Assessment Test. Majority of the participants were aged 60 to 80 years (the young old). They consists of 44 men and 16 women, mostly Chinese (60%), followed by Indians (23%) and Malay (17%). Older people from these selected Cheras communities are healthy but there is a need for health campaigns on the importance of consumptions of dairy products as majority of the respondents do not take dairy products. Weighted mean show no assistance needed for activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).  The older peoples’ physical activities and sleeping patterns, smoking and alcohol consumption are positive. However, health teaching may be given on importance of dairy products consumption, exercise, and leisure, as well as stress reduction activities.

Keywords: Functional capacity, lifestyle patterns, nutritional views, dietary patterns, older people, Malaysia