Level of functional independence and personal and social determinants of healthy aging in Peruvian older adults during COVID-19; [Nível de independência funcional, determinantes pessoais e sociais do envelhecimento saudável em idosos peruanos durante a COVID-19]

Enriquez-Canto Y.; de las Nieves Pizarro-Andrade R. · MedUNAB (2025) · DOI: 10.29375/01237047.5102

Resumen

Introduction. The population of older adults reached 900 million in 2010 and is projected to double by 2050. For this reason, it is crucial to understand the factors that affect this population's autonomy. This study sought to identify individual, social, and behavioral determinants of functional independence and to examine whether depressive symptomatology and social relationships moderate the association between age and functionality in older adults during COVID-19. Methodology. A cross-sectional study with secondary analysis of the public data of 244 older adults, 60 years of age, with socioeconomic vulnerability, from two peripheral urban areas. The Barthel index was used to assess functional independence and moderation analyses and ordinal logistic regression models were applied. Results. Sixty-nine percent of subjects demonstrated functional independence. Depressive symptomatology (-0.06 [-0.12; -0.01], p=0.014) and quality of relationships with neighbors (0.454 [0.17;0.73], p=0.001) moderated the relationship between age and functional independence. Widowers were 70% less likely to be independent than married people (p=0.005). Those who never received calls before the pandemic were 74% less likely to be independent (p=0.006). Participants in mental health talks presented 4.9 times higher odds of independence compared to non-participants (p<0.001). Discussion. Functional independence in aging is not only age-dependent; it is also influenced by individual and social factors, including depressive symptomatology and social interaction. Conclusions. It is essential to comprehensively address healthy aging, considering the psychosocial needs of older adults. © (2025), (Universidad Autonoma de Bucaramanga). All right reserved.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica Sedes Sapientiae