Intrinsic capacity trajectories, predictors and associations with care dependence in community-dwelling older adults: A social determinant of health perspective

Aims: To identify intrinsic capacity trajectories, predictors of intrinsic capacity trajectories and associations between intrinsic capacity trajectories and care dependence in community-dwelling older adults in China. 

Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted, and the data were obtained from a five-year national longitudinal cohort study of older adults in China between 2011 and 2015. The social determinants of health framework informed the data analysis and interpretation. 

Results: A total of 3893 older adults met the selection criteria and were included in the study. Three intrinsic capacity trajectories were identified: high trajectory (15.7 %), stable trajectory (52.7 %) and declining trajectory (31.6 %). Social determinants contribute to intrinsic capacity decline in older adults. Decreased cognitive function, psychological status, and locomotion at baseline were associated with care dependence. 

Conclusion: Approximately thirty percent of the older adults in this cohort study experienced a decline in intrinsic capacity within a 5-year period. Social determinants contributed to this decline in older adults.