Reversible Cognitive Frailty, Functional Ability and Health-related Quality of Life among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: the Moderating Role of Social Support

Background Providing the necessary supportive environment is important for promoting healthy ageing and ensuring the well-being of older adults. However, whether social support could buffer the detrimental effect of reversible cognitive frailty (RCF) on health outcomes among older adults has not been empirically examined. Objective To examine the moderating effect of three dimensions of social support on the relationship between RCF and health outcomes, including functional ability (FA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods This was a cross-sectional study with 1171 community-dwelling older adults. Social support was assessed using the Social Support Rating Scale. RCF was identified by the Frailty Phenotype and simplified subjective cognitive decline questionnaire. As for FA, the Katz index and the Lawton Scale were used to measure activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL), respectively. HRQoL was measured by the Short Form Health Survey. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was implemented to test the moderating effects. Results Support utilization buffered the effect of RCF on IADL ability while subjective support buffered the effect of RCF on physical HRQoL. However, objective support had no significant moderating effect on the relationship between RCF and any health outcomes. Conclusion The moderating effect of social support on the relationship between RCF and health outcomes varies by support types and by specific health outcomes. Effective interventions should target the perception and utilization of available support among older adults with RCF to maintain their functional independence and HRQoL.