A review of the changes in functional abilities in the elderly

Abstract

South Africa has one of the most rapidly ageing populations in Africa which has significant implications for the planning of social and health services in South Africa. The loss of muscle strength in people over the age of 60 years has been recognised as being a major contributor to functional disability in later life. Being already besieged by the destructive consequences of old age, the elderly are at an even greater risk for the loss of functional abilities. Greater loss of natural body immunity, increasing amount and severity of diseases, the number of chronic diseases, chronic injuries and physical inactivity, all contribute to a decrease in functional status. This will place the elderly in danger of becoming dependent and institutionalised, thus losing their independence and increasing their risk of mortality. Recent reviews of the literature indicate that the problem of functional ability loss may be greater than previously expected. As such, the purpose of this review was to scrutinise the problem of functional ability loss and to enable practitioners to minimise or even reverse the aging process as well as improve the total quality of life of the elderly.