Abstract

Background: Performance of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is important to active aging. Different types of social support may play roles in the process of performing IADLs. This study investigated effect of social support on changes of IADL function in older adults over a 10-year period.

Methods: The Taiwan Longitudinal Study in Aging (TLSA) database from 1996 to 2007 was used. IADL disability was defined as difficulties in either grocery shopping or using telephones as a dichotomous variable. A total of 1742 older adults (60-70 years) without IADL disability in 1996 were included. Receiving instrumental (ISS) and emotional social support (ESS), giving ISS and ESS to others, being a member of any association, or engaging in volunteering were assessed.

Results: Among these elders in 1996, 85% received ISS and ESS, and 10.8% provided ISS to others. Only 5% engaged in volunteering, and 44.9% were a member of an association. The GEE model showed that receiving ESS decreased the risk of IADL disability; giving ISS and being a member of an association were associated with a lower probability of IADL disability after adjustment for personal characteristics, comorbidities, physical performance, cognition and depression.

Conclusions: Receiving emotional support, giving instrumental support to others, and engaging in memberships have protective effects on IADL disability. These results demonstrate the needs of supporting systems and resources that older adults can provide for themselves.