Heterogeneity in activities of daily living among the Vietnamese older persons in pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods: a latent class analysis

This research explored activities of daily living (ADL) patterns and their predictors among Vietnamese older persons in pre- and post-COVID-19 periods, applying latent class analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify the determinants of ADL latent classes. We found that the 3-class models were the best optimal models for both 2019 and 2022 data. Participants in the moderate difficulty and extreme difficulty classes were significantly more likely to be older, those who received help with personal care, and those who suffered from poor health conditions than their respective reference groups. As such, personalised care plans are essential to meet the diverse ADL needs of older persons. Education attainment is found as a protective factor, underscoring needed investments in health education. Tailored interventions for less educated older persons are essential to improve daily functioning, promote chronic disease management, and support proactive roles in aged care.