The purpose of the study was to develop a physical function instrument (Elderly Mobility Index, EMI) for elderly among the community. The instrumental
assessment was used to understand physical function of elderly among the community. For the elderly with physical disabilities, this study examined the need of physical therapy and analyzed factors that affected physical function in order to understand the status for the need of physical therapy among the communities?
elderly.
The study was based on the study of ? successful aging for elderly in Taiwan? in 2004. The participants consisted of elders who live in Miaoli city and aged 65 years or older, selected by a three stage stratified method. We invited 720 elders to join the study and completed 584 interviews with completion rate of 81.1%.We used factor analysis for a developmental scale for classification. Independence T test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were used to examine factors related to physical function. Pearson correlation was used to explore the relationship among ADL, IADL and EMI.
The results of the study included (1) The Cronbach Alpha of EMI is 0.9662 and Pearson correlation coefficients of EMI with MPPT is -0.94 which indicated that EMI is an instrument of high reliability and validity. (2) By factor analysis, EMI items were classified into upper limb and trunk control?lower limb strength and balance?lower limb endurance and cardiovascular endurance for the need of physical therapy. (3) the disability rate of any item in upper limb and trunk
control?lower limb strength and balance?lower limb endurance and cardiovascular endurance were 15%, 38% and 57%. (4) The individuals who had of stroke, cardiac disease, lower limb pain, gout, arthritis, depression, cognitive impairment, lack of exercise, unemployed had poor physical function. (5) 59% of community- dwelling elders were estimated to need physical therapy in the future or now, especially lower limb strength and balance, lower limb endurance and
cardiovascular endurance.
We suggest promoting to preventive maneuvers and design activities for high risk sectors of the elderly population in order to slow down the deterioration of
physical function. We also suggest providing appropriate physical therapy of highly disabled physical functions for the community elders. Through this study, we hope to that the health promotion policy could slow down physical disability and allow the community elderly to enjoy an enriched life and achieve successful aging.
