Fikrifar Rizki Faridho, Ari Yuniastuti, Intan Zainafree

Correlation between The Level of Independence of Elderly and Dementia in West Java

Introduction

Correlation between the level of independence of elderly and dementia in west java. Explore the strong correlation between elderly independence and dementia in West Java. This study highlights the importance of daily physical activity for dementia prevention and public health.

Abstract

Dementia, which the sufferer is estimated to be 153 million people in 2050, is a public health problem, especially for the elderly, which will slowly make the sufferers more dependent on other people to do daily activities. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlation between the level of independence of the elderly and dementia in West Java. This study used a cross-sectional design using primary data from 68 elderly people in Sentra Terpadu Pangudi Luhur based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Univariate analysis showed that most respondents were young elderly (48.5%), males (55.9%), had no history of smoking (52.9%), no history of consuming alcohol (91.2%), had normal body mass index (58.8%), had hypertension (69.1%), did not have diabetes mellitus (92.6%), did not have depression (75%), had mild dependence (50%), and did not have dementia (50%). The results of the hypothesis test of the Rank Spearman correlation between the level of independence of the elderly and dementia showed a strong correlation in a significant positive direction with a correlation coefficient of 0.561. Daily physical activities with moderate intensity are required to prevent dementia.

Review

This study addresses a highly relevant public health issue concerning the correlation between the level of independence of elderly individuals and the presence of dementia, a condition with rapidly increasing global prevalence. The chosen geographical focus on West Java provides valuable regional data. The study's clear objective to analyze this correlation using a cross-sectional design is commendable, and the initial characterization of the study population through univariate analysis sets a good foundation for understanding the sample demographics and health profiles. While the finding of a strong, significant positive correlation (r=0.561) between the level of independence and dementia is a crucial insight, several methodological aspects warrant clarification and attention. The sample size of 68 elderly individuals, though providing initial data, is relatively small, especially given the broad scope implied by "West Java." More importantly, the abstract does not specify the validated instruments or diagnostic criteria used to assess either the "level of independence" or the presence of "dementia." Without these details, it is difficult to ascertain the reliability, validity, and comparability of the study's measurements. Additionally, the context of "Sentra Terpadu Pangudi Luhur" needs elaboration to understand if this sample is representative of the general elderly population in West Java or a more specific institutionalized group. Despite these limitations, the study offers an important preliminary finding that underscores the intertwining nature of cognitive decline and functional independence in the elderly. Future research would significantly benefit from employing larger, more representative samples from diverse settings within West Java, coupled with the explicit use of standardized and validated assessment tools for both dementia screening (e.g., MMSE, MoCA) and functional independence (e.g., ADL, IADL scales). Incorporating longitudinal designs could also provide insights into causal relationships and the progression of dependence. The concluding remark on daily physical activities as a preventive measure is a valid public health message, and further research could explore how the observed correlation informs specific intervention strategies to maintain independence and mitigate dementia progression.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.