Perceived Complexity of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living by Older People

The performance of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is crucial in enabling older people to achieve personal independence both at home and in the community. This study explored the characteristics of perceived complexity of IADL by older adults, with or without a history of stroke. A total of 120 older people were recruited and divided into equal groups of patients who had experienced a stroke (mean age, 69.5 years) and people who had not (mean age, 68.3 years). All participants were interviewed and completed a questionnaire on IADL containing 30 common IADL tasks with which the ratings on the perceived task complexity were assigned. The mean task complexity scores ranged from 2.06 to 3.63. The most complex tasks were cleaning an exhaust fan and using the mass transit railway, whereas the least complex task was maintaining social etiquette. In assigning the complexity ratings, participants generally defined complexity as “difficult and troublesome.” The stroke patients generally perceived the tasks as significantly more complex when compared with their normal counterparts. The findings reinforce the need for awareness of rehabilitation professionals when providing interventions in IADL performance training, for which the ability of the patient and the difficulty in demands of the task should both be considered. Further studies are recommended for exploring the task content and criteria underlying the complexity of IADL tasks. The task domain formulated in this study takes us a step closer to the development of an IADL assessment tool for the Hong Kong Chinese population