Table 4.

Frequency of Activity Problems Reported by Older Adults (N=67).

	Have difficulty performing activity		Unable to perform activity
Activity	Frequency	%	Frequency	%
Reaching for things up high	51	68.9	2	2.7
Taking a bath/shower	46	62.2	1	1.4
Getting up from chair/sofa	44	59.5	30	40.5
Going up/down stairs	40	54.1	6	8.1
Picking something up off floor	39	52.7	2	2.7
Caring items	34	45.9	1	1.4
Opening jars	34	45.9	1	1.4
Sleeping	30	40.5	1	1.4
Reading	28	37.8	1	1.4
Cleaning living area	27	36.5	2	2.7
Getting dressed	27	36.5	0	0.0
Getting in/out of entrance doors	26	35.1	1	1.4
Getting in/out of the cara	25	33.8	0	0.0
Writing	24	32.4	1	1.4
Getting on/off toilet	23	31.1	0	0.0
Getting in/out of bed	21	28.4	1	1.4
Talking on the phone	18	24.3	0	0.0
Opening/closing doors	16	21.6	1	1.4
Repairing clothing	17	23.0	7	9.5
Washing and drying clothes	17	23.0	4	5.4
Preparing a meal	13	17.6	2	2.7
Paying the bills	12	16.2	1	1.4
Moving around in the home	12	16.2	0	0.0
Getting the mail	11	14.9	1	1.4
Controlling the environment	11	14.9	0	0.0
Ironing clothes	9	12.2	2	2.7
Taking out the trash	9	12.2	4	5.4
Responding to an emergency	9	12.2	2	2.7
Answering door or phonea	8	10.8	0	0.0
Repairing household objects	7	9.5	9	12.2
Taking medication	6	8.1	0	0.0
Grooming	6	8.1	0	0.0
Watching TV	4	5.4	0	0.0
Caring for pets	3	4.1	5	6.8
Listening to music/radio	3	4.1	4	5.4
Washing dishes	3	4.1	1	1.4
Visiting with family and friends	2	2.7	3	4.1
Eating	2	2.7	0	0.0
Caring for children	1	1.4	3	4.1
Resting	1	1.4	1	1.4
Total	719	100.0	100	100.0

^aActivities not included in the activity card sort that were identified as problematic by participants.