Relationships between the sensory, cognitive and physical functions of young-old and old-old individuals

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to define the relationships between the sensory, cognitive and physical functions of young-old and old-old individuals. Methods: Participants were 10,451 elderly individuals aged 65 and above, raw data of a 2014 National Survey on Korean Older Persons was used. To investigate the relationships among the sensory, cognitive, and physical functions, a structural equation model was used. Results: The key analysis results are summarized as follows; 5% had poor vision function(young-old 3.5%, old-old 7.1%), 3.8% had poor auditory function(young-old 1.7%, old-old 6.7%), 33.0% had decline in cognitive function(young-old 30.9%, old-old 35.7%), 3.6% were disabled(young-old 1.6%, old-old 6.3%) and cognitive function influences physical function more greatly than does sensory function. Additionally, in the young-old groups, vision among sensory functions, attention among cognitive functions, and IADL among physical functions, turned out to be the most influential. However, in the old-old groups, auditory function among sensory functions, orientation among cognitive functions, and IADL among physical functions, turned out to be the most influential. Conclusions: This study implies that functions in the young-old and old-old individuals must be considered with all three functions-sensory, cognitive, and physical-together at the same time and that this comprehensive approach is necessary in national policy making.

Physical Functioning, Depressive Symptoms, and Suicidal Ideation among Older Korean Adults

“…An increase in the population of older adults implies an increase in the population wherein individuals' sensory, cognitive, and physical functions decrease [8,9]. Previous studies have shown that physical functioning tends to decrease with age [8,9]. In the NSOP 2014, 43.7% of the survey respondents aged 65 years or above believed that their health was poor [7].…”