Limitations in Activities of Daily Living among Dementia-Free Older Adults in Panama

The Latin America and Caribbean region is experiencing one of the fastest rates of population aging, but research on age-related disability is limited, particularly in Central America. The aim of this study was to examine limitations in the performance of basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and their association with sociodemographic and health-related factors in a sample of adults aged 65 and older in Panama. Cross-sectional data are reported for 370 community-dwelling elderly outpatients (144 males, 226 females) without dementia. Self-reported BADL and IADL limitations were the outcomes. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between sociodemographic and health characteristics and at least one limitation or severe (four or more) limitations. Approximately half (53.5%) and one-third (66.8%) of participants reported at least one BADL and IADL limitation, respectively. Increased age (≥ 80 years), being male, less education, and a history of stroke were independently and significantly associated with BADL limitations. The same variables, in addition to reporting four or more chronic illnesses, were independently and significantly associated with IADL limitations. The results are consistent with previous research in low and middle-income countries regarding the factors associated with BADL and IADL disability in older adults. Assessing the extent of disability among Panama’s elderly population is vital for identifying those at risk of transitioning to worse states of health over the course of aging and designing specific interventions to meet the needs of older adults.