Functional capacity of older adults living in rural areas: a pilot study

Introduction and objective. Ageing is associated with a gradual decline in functional reserves and an increased risk of losing independence in activities of daily living. The present study assessed functional capacity in adults aged ≥60 years living in rural areas and examined its association with selected sociodemographic characteristics. Materials and methods. A pilot study was conducted from April to September 2025 among 100 rural residents of Dąbrówka municipality, Mazowieckie Voivodeship, Poland. An original questionnaire and the Barthel Index were used. Associations were analysed with Pearson’s chi-square test and, for sparse contingency tables, the Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test with Monte Carlo estimation; p<0.05 was considered signifi cant. Results. High functional capacity was found in 71.0% of participants, moderate capacity in 23.0%, and low capacity in 6.0%. The overall level of capacity did not differ signifi cantly by sex (p=0.063), but was associated with age (p=0.001) and marital status (p=0.032). With increasing age, independence decreased in regard to personal hygiene (p=0.006), washing and bathing (p<0.001), mobility on level surfaces (p=0.001), stair use (p<0.001) and dressing and undressing (p=0.007). Conclusions. Most participants maintained high functional capacity, but independence decreased with age and lower capacity was more common among widowed respondents. The greatest limitations concerned stair use and washing and bathing.