Construction of Intrinsic Capacity Portrait and Influencing Factor Analysis of Rural Disabled Older Adults in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The aging and disability of China's rural population have a huge impact on the long-term care system, and the intrinsic capacity and healthy aging of the disabled older adults in rural areas need to be improved urgently. Objective: To investigate the current status of intrinsic capacity of the disabled older adults in rural areas, analyze the decline level and influencing factors of their mobility, vitality, cognition, sensory and psychological ability, and further verify the quantitative accuracy and sensitivity of the intrinsic capacity assessment system in the Chinese elderly population. Methods: Using the Intrinsic Capacity Assessment System, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 343 disabled rural older adults from 32 conveniently selected villages under Henan Province, China. Results: The average score of intrinsic capacity among disabled rural older adults was (5.68±1.62), and the scores of each dimension were as follows: mobility (4.51±2.72), vitality (22.27±4.02), cognition (17.31±7.09), psychology (6.68±5.69), sensory ability (1.22±0.52), mobility (99.1%) and cognitive (91.0%) ability impairment rates were higher, and the disability level (Cramer's V 0.444) and frailty status (Cramer's V=0.408) were moderately correlated with the level of intrinsic capacity. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, education level, residence (children living with spouse), type of medication, economic source (pension), disability, grip strength level and BMI level were the influencing factors of intrinsic capacity of the disabled older adults in rural areas (P <0.05）. Conclusion: The intrinsic capacities such as mobility and cognition of disabled rural older adults are severely impaired, and these impairments are influenced by multiple factors including sociodemographic characteristics and personal health status. In the follow-up, a multi-domain integrated care plan can be formulated around multi-component exercises and diversified diets to improve their intrinsic capacity levels.