The functional capacity of older people can be defined in many different ways. In this presentation the functional capacity is understood as physical, mental, social and spiritual wholeness, in which all areas of functional capacity are bound together and interact with each other. A change in one area affects also other areas of functional capacity. The functional capacity of older people means ability to cope with the activities of daily living, ability to get various experiences in life and a good quality of life. 

 

 

Figure. The areas of functional capacity form a wholeness in which each area affect each other and the wholeness.

 

Aging causes many life restricting and physical, mental, social and spiritual consequences which try person’s patience and affect everyday living and the quality of life. The areas of functional capacity are inseparable from each other. The body, mind and environment interact continuously. The functional capacity of older people is affected also by genetic factors and the environment where the older people have lived or live. The quality of functional capacity of older people can vary considerably. The functional capacity changes by the years, but the changes occur in different ways and in different speed. The possible diseases and traumas affect the functional capacity usually by weakening it.

The most important thing in life of older people is to cope with the activities in daily living independently for as long as possible. When she / he manages in life all the areas of functional capacity are in balance. When one or the other area weakens it affects the coping, but older people have developed usually different own strategies which help to solve the problematic situations in daily life. 

The functional capacity is an important part of the well-being of older people. When the functional capacity weakens the elderly must define his / her own understanding or opinion of the well-being anew. The carer’s challenge is to recognise the resources and problems of older people to be able to support her / his functional capacity in a holistic and goal-oriented way. The carer must understand when she / he must support the independent coping, when the elderly needs support in some activities and when the elderly totally dependent of help.