Effect of depression combined with cognitive impairment on dependency risk in rural older adults: analysis of data from the China health and retirement longitudinal study (CHARLS 2020)

This study highlights the substantial impact of depression and cognitive impairment on ADL/IADL dependence among rural older adults, with an especially heightened risk when both disorders are present simultaneously. Moreover, factors such as gender, age, inpatient services, outpatient services, and self-rated health are strongly associated with functional dependence in this population.