Cognitive impairments and functional declines in older adults at high risk for care needs.

Aim: Functional status of those who have very mild cognitive impairment have not been sufficiently investigated. In the current study, we analyzed the characteristics of functional awareness in older adults who had cognitive impairment and were at high risk of requiring support/care (termed as specified elderly at high risk for care needs in the long-term care insurance scheme).
Methods: The answers of a health check, which is provided by the local municipal government for those aged 75 years or older who have not been certified as eligible for care services, were analyzed. The differences of the variables between the two groups regarding yes/no answers to each of three cognition-related questions were analyzed. Then, a multiple logistic analysis was carried out to investigate the association of yes/no answers of the three cognition-related questions and the awareness of functional decline.
Results: The participants who had cognitive impairment had greater awareness of functional declines. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that subjective memory impairment and disorientation were significantly associated with a wider range of awareness of functional decline.
Conclusions: Subjective cognitive impairment was associated with a wide range of awareness of functional decline in older adults at high risk for care need.
(© 2012 Japan Geriatrics Society.)