Everyday Competence in Later Life: Current Status and Future Directions

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on the antecedents and outcomes of everyday competence in later life and discusses future directions. It is argued that there is a fairly solid knowledge base with regard to the antecedents and outcomes but not in terms of the components and mechanisms of older adults' everyday competence. Five key issues are identified and discussed in terms of a future research agenda. For each key issue, directions for future research are outlined and a transactional approach is advocated. It is emphasized that older adults should be viewed as proactive individuals who are motivated to minimize the losses and maximize the gains associated with the aging process.

Longitudinal associations between dual sensory impairment and everyday competence among older adults

“…While performance measures of competence do not suffer these drawbacks, they are less widely used and assess a more narrow range of functioning. Thus, Diehl recommends assessment of ADL/IADL disability with a multiple measurement approach of self-report, objective performance, and proxy informant measures [2]. We endorse this position and also recommend a similar approach to assess sensory function in future research.…”

“…For example, pure tone audiometry can identify deficits in hearing function, but it does not address how well the person with hearing impairment functions in everyday life, such as using a telephone or having a conversation in a restaurant. Furthermore, both self-report and objective approaches to obtaining functional disability data have their strengths and weaknesses [2]. Self-report of functional disability is usually assessed with a single item per domain, may lack accuracy, and provides little information on the underlying cause of loss of competence.…”

“…Research on the functional challenges that individuals face in coping with sensory loss in later life has given rise to the notion of everyday competence, namely, one's ability to function and live independently in the community [1][2][3]. Such competence and the ability to continuously adapt to changing circumstances depend on assets in a variety of domains, including sensory, sensorimotor, cognitive, personality, and social resources [1][2]4].…”

“…Such competence and the ability to continuously adapt to changing circumstances depend on assets in a variety of domains, including sensory, sensorimotor, cognitive, personality, and social resources [1][2]4]. Sensory resources refer to pure sensory processes, such as vision and hearing, while sensorimotor resources refer to functions that closely integrate sensory input and motor skills (e.g., balance, gait).…”

“…Thus, impairment of vision and/or hearing in later adulthood could threaten everyday competence and experiencing both vision and hearing, or dual sensory, impairments would most likely be a greater threat to competence than either impairment in isolation [5]. In addition, studies have proposed that a hierarchical progression in loss of competence exists, starting with complex instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (e.g., managing money), with continued loss of competence eventually resulting in difficulty with personal activities of daily living (ADL) (e.g., indoor mobility, dressing, bathing) [2][3]. This article examined the longitudinal associations between self-reported dual sensory impairment and everyday competence assessed with self-reported ADL and IADL disabilities.…”