Environmental barriers and facilitators: impacts on the functionality of institutionalized and community-dwelling older adults

Abstract Objective "Individual attitudes of acquaintances, peers, colleagues, neighbors, and community members" were predictors of disability in NI individuals (OR 5.25; CI 1.40–20.72; p=0.01). Pain was a predictor in both groups (NI- OR 3.65; CI 1.22–8.21; p=0.01 and I- OR 10.06; CI 2.47–40.93; p<0.001). Polypharmacy increased the likelihood of disability in I individuals (OR 4.59; CI 1.05–20.05; p=0.04), while self-rated health was a predictor for NI individuals (OR 3.10; CI 1.01–9.51; p=0.04). Method "Individual attitudes of acquaintances, peers, colleagues, neighbors, and community members" were predictors of disability in NI individuals (OR 5.25; CI 1.40–20.72; p=0.01). Pain was a predictor in both groups (NI- OR 3.65; CI 1.22–8.21; p=0.01 and I- OR 10.06; CI 2.47–40.93; p<0.001). Polypharmacy increased the likelihood of disability in I individuals (OR 4.59; CI 1.05–20.05; p=0.04), while self-rated health was a predictor for NI individuals (OR 3.10; CI 1.01–9.51; p=0.04). Results "Individual attitudes of acquaintances, peers, colleagues, neighbors, and community members" were predictors of disability in NI individuals (OR 5.25; CI 1.40–20.72; p=0.01). Pain was a predictor in both groups (NI- OR 3.65; CI 1.22–8.21; p=0.01 and I- OR 10.06; CI 2.47–40.93; p<0.001). Polypharmacy increased the likelihood of disability in I individuals (OR 4.59; CI 1.05–20.05; p=0.04), while self-rated health was a predictor for NI individuals (OR 3.10; CI 1.01–9.51; p=0.04). Conclusion Institutionalized older adults face greater functional challenges in mobility, self-care, and social participation but benefit from structured routines and professional care. Non-institutionalized individuals, despite being more autonomous, encounter barriers such as social isolation and limited access to healthcare, negatively impacting their functionality.