Dependency Change with Aging and Associated Factors in Uruguay: A Cohort Study

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the heterogeneity of transitions toward dependency in older adults and to explore the robustness of results to different operationalizations of dependency.

Method: Using data from people aged 60 years and older from a national representative study in Uruguay (Encuesta Longitudinal de Protección Social, N = 5071), we fitted multinomial regressions adjusted by sociodemographic and health characteristics to model transitions into dependency and death. We used a harder operationalization with basic activities of daily living (Katz-dependency) and Comprehensive-dependency with basic, instrumental, and advanced activities.

Results: Increasing age (RRR = 1.08, CI = [1.05; 1.12], p < .001) and having comorbidities (RRR = 2.16, CI = [1.31; 3.57], p = .003) increased the risk of transition from nondependent to dependent using Katz-dependency. Women with at least two chronic conditions have increased risk of Comprehensive-dependency (RRR = 1.79, CI = [1.15; 2.80], p = .010).

Discussion: Inconsistencies in findings emerged when evaluating transitions into dependency with the different measures, which may have social care implications.

Keywords: Uruguay; activities of daily living; dependency; older adults.