Date Presented 04/05/2025
Select client factors, personal contextual factors, and disability increase older adults’ risk for aging in place. This work examines baseline characteristics of participants receiving CAPABLE, an evidence-based intervention to promote aging in place.
Primary Author and Speaker: Mohammed Hamd Alsubeai
Additional Authors and Speakers: Beth Fields, Pamela Toto
PURPOSE: Aging in place is the preferred goal for most older adults (1). However, select client, personal and environmental factors such as low socioeconomic status, limited education, disability and living alone increase the challenge and risk for aging in place (2). Community Aging-in-Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE) is an evidence-based program that reduces these risks and promotes aging in place (3).This study aims to describe the baseline characteristics of older adults enrolled in the CAPABLE program identified through an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) (4).
DESIGN: A descriptive study analyzed baseline characteristics of older adults referred to CAPABLE.
METHOD: Demographic data included gender, race, education, marital status, and income. Mean T-scores were calculated for Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures including Instrumental Support, General Life Satisfaction, and Global Health. Percentages were analyzed for National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) measures including Unmet Needs, Labor Force Participation and Healthcare Access.
RESULTS: Sample participants (N = 72) enrolled in CAPABLE were mostly Caucasian (75%), with a gender distribution of 25% males and 75% females. 65.3% had high school education or less. Majority of participants (81.2%) were retired and 50% were unmarried. Instrumental support levels were average (M = 50.7), while life satisfaction (M = 44.3) was lower compared to the general population. Mental (M = 42.8) and physical health scores (M = 43.6) were below average. Participants reported high unmet needs in five daily activities and moderate to low unmet needs in six daily activities.
CONCLUSION: Baseline characteristics of older adults enrolled in a CAPABLE program indicate the participants represent the target population of older adults at increased risk of aging in place.
References
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Breysse, J., Dixon, S., Wilson, J., & Szanton, S. (2022). Aging gracefully in place: An evaluation of the capability of the CAPABLE© approach. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 41(3), 718–728.
Brim, B., Fromhold, S., & Blaney, S. (2021). Older adults’ self-reported barriers to aging in place. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 40(12), 1678–1686.
Toto, P. E., Alchin, T., Yanes, C., Park, J., & Fields, B. E. (2023). Implementing CAPABLE with care partners through an Area Agency on Aging: Identifying barriers and facilitators using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. The Gerontologist, 63(3), 428–438.
