Intrinsic Capacity and Life Quality Among Taiwanese Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study

Intrinsic capacity (IC), an internal composite ability proposed by the World Health Organization, is fundamental to older people’s health. The present study examined potential models explaining the association between IC and quality of life (QoL) among older people in Taiwan. Frailty, basic activities of daily living (BADL), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were hypothesized to be mediators in the association between IC and QoL. Older people aged 50 years or above from community or medical center (N = 1,235; M_age = 72.63 years [SD = 7.19]; 601 males [48.7%]) completed a series of self-report and functional measures assessing IC, frailty, ADLs, and QoL. Results showed that IC was significantly associated with frailty, BADL, IADL, and QoL in the mediation models. Frailty was found to be a significant mediator in the association between IC and QoL alone or together with IADL. The findings indicate that IC is an important factor for older people to maintain good health and live a fulfilling life.