IS PHYSICAL FUNCTION ASSOCIATED WITH ELDER ABUSE IN A COMMUNITY-DWELLING POPULATION?

Abstract

Existing research has indicated that lower levels of physical function is a risk factor for elder abuse. This paper aimed at examining the association between physical function impairment and elder abuse among U.S. Chinese older adults. Data were drawn from 3,157 Chinese older adults from the PINE Study from 2011–2013. We assessed physical function through both self-reported physical function (ADL, IADL, Nagi, Rosow) and directly observed physical performance tests (walk, tandem, chair stand). After controlling for potential confounding factors, higher levels of impairment in ADL (OR 0.85, 0.73–0.98) and IADL (OR 0.87, 0.82–0.92) was associated with lower risk of elder abuse. Similarly, lower levels of physical performance (OR 0.93, 0.89–0.97) are associated with lower risk of elder abuse. Contrary to previous findings, our study indicates that lower physical function may be protective against elder abuse. Further study is necessary to determine the temporal relationship between physical function and elder abuse.