OP 36: Challenges and Opportunities for Health 2, B207 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 10:15 - 11:15 Aims
In Germany, about 14% of people aged 55 years and older were born abroad in 2022. Aging is associated with a number of health problems, often leading to limitations in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL) and a need for support in conducting these activities. Up to now, research in Germany focused especially on older migrants from Türkiye or (late) repatriates. Our aim is to explore the prevalence of limitations in ADL/IADL among older migrants with selected citizenships and their need for support. Methods
Data of the multilingual, mixed-mode interview survey GEDA Fokus (11/2021 – 05/2022) was used, considering people with Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian or Turkish citizenship aged 55 to 79 years (n = 1,089). Five ADL and seven IADL were analysed. Limitations were defined as reporting at least some difficulties in conducting at least one ADL or IADL, respectively. Using Poisson regressions, adjusted for citizenship, differences in the prevalence of limitations were analysed for gender, age and education. For participants reporting limitations, additionally receiving support was examined. Results
Overall, 23.2% of participants reported limitations in ADL and 36.4% in IADL. Older age (65 – 79 years) as well as low or medium education were associated with limitations, in IADL additionally female gender. Among those reporting limitations in ADL, 44.8% received support and 60.4% among those with limitations in IADL. Support was provided mainly from household members (>80%) and less often by formal home care (ADL 14.0%; IADL 5.4%). Conclusion
Within this sample, prevalence of limitations was lower compared to the general population (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS: ADL 38.5%, IADL 59.9%), with comparable differences according to gender, age and education. Results in terms of receiving support confirm the literature: support is mainly provided by household members. Thus, the burden for caregivers in migrant families should be explored in further research.
