Enfermedades crónicas y deterioro funcional para las actividades de la vida diaria en población mayor no institucionalizada

There was greater level of independence for BADL than for IADL. The factor creating most dependence was mental illness, followed by heart disease and rheumatism/osteoarthritis. A declining ability to perform IADL should prompt early assessment of dependence, as it is the first sign to appear. Prevention is fundamental for independent functioning in older people.