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Issue: No. 98 (2026): CHÀO MỪNG NGÀY KHOA HỌC, CÔNG NGHỆ VÀ ĐỔI MỚI SÁNG TẠO VIỆT NAM NĂM 2026
Section: Article
DOI: 10.58490/ctjump.2026i98.4546
Date Published: 25/05/2026
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Tran, T. S., Nguyen, D. T., Do, L. A. N., Vu, N. A. N., Hua, H. A. T., Truong, H. H., & Nguyen, T. T. B. (2026). CHARACTERISTICS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADL) IMPAIRMENT IN SOUTH KOREA. Cantho Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy, 98, 61-68. https://doi.org/10.58490/ctjump.2026i98.4546

CHARACTERISTICS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADL) IMPAIRMENT IN SOUTH KOREA

Thao Suong Tran1, Duy Tan Nguyen1, Le Anh Nhu Do1, Nguyen Anh Ngoc Vu1, Huynh Anh Tri Hua1, Huu Hanh Truong1, Tu Thai Bao Nguyen1,
1 Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: South Korea is experiencing rapid population aging, increasing pressure on long-term care systems, and a decline in functional independence among older adults. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of decline in activities of daily living and describe the differences in characteristics among the elderly. Materials  and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 4,491 individuals aged 65 years and older using data from the 2022 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Group differences were assessed using Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results: The prevalence of impairment in activities of daily living was 7.2%, with bathing being the most affected activity (6.3%). The impaired group had a higher proportion of low education (71.1%), economic inactivity (98.4%), and dementia (21.1%) compared with the non-impaired group. Within the impaired group, females were older (median 86 versus 84 years), had lower education (84.9%), and were more likely to live alone (40.5%). Males showed higher rates of smoking (59.8%) and alcohol consumption (76.1%). Conclusion: The group with impaired activities of daily living demonstrated a higher prevalence among older age groups and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. These findings suggest a need to prioritize support for single older women, as well as to enhance the detection and intervention of dementia, thereby mitigating the risk of functional dependency. 

Keywords

Activities of daily living, population aging, gender differences, Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, South Korea

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