THE IMPACT OF MULTIPLE IMPAIRMENTS ON DISABILITY IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER-PEOPLE

Introduction: we have tested the hypothesis that the co-occurrence of common impairments (motor and cognitive impairments, vision and hearin g loss, depressive symptoms) of later life have exacerbating effects o n disability [activities and instrumental activities of daily living, social and role function, (in)activity]. Method: data were drawn from a community-based sample of 624 people aged 57 and older. Results: mot or impairments and depressive symptoms were associated with all disabi lity measures, even when the effects of other impairments, age and gen der were controlled. This indicates independent, predominant effects o f motor impairments and depressive symptoms. Although several signific ant first-order interaction effects (indicating exacerbation) of impai rments on disability were found, they were not very strong, but vision and hearing losses exacerbate the impact of the other impairments on disability. Conclusions: impairments, particularly motor impairments a nd depressive symptoms, largely act 'solo', by main effects on disabil ity. Only a few combinations including vision or hearing loss further exacerbate the effects of other impairments on disability.