The association between mild cognitive impairment and doing housework

Abstract

Objectives: The ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is thought to be relatively intact for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Doing housework as part of IADL is an important skill needed for older people to live independently and successfully. A limited number of studies explore the association between MCI and doing housework. The aim of this study was to assess the association between MCI and doing housework among old people.

Method: The study employed a community-based, cross-sectional design. A total of 1773 older people residents, aged 60 and over, were randomly recruited in the Suzhou area, and they underwent the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) for screening MCI in 2009. Participants were required to complete a questionnaire, which was comprised of their demographic information, health status, and life style, to evaluate the associations between MCI and these factors.

Results: About 13% of the respondents were found to have MCI. People with MCI are found to be less healthy and live unhealthy lifestyles. After adjusting confounding factors, a significant association was observed between MCI and not doing housework (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17–2.30).

Conclusions: MCI is associated with doing less housework. The deterioration in the ability to do housework is a potentially important indicator of evolving cognitive impairment in some old people.

Keywords:

• mild cognitive impairment
• doing housework
• instrumental activities of daily living