Table 3.
Results of the physical self-maintenance scale (n = 907)
| Variable | Frequency (Percentage) |
|---|---|
| Feeding | |
| Does not feed self at all and resists efforts of others to feed him or her | 5 (0.55) |
| Feeds self with assistance and is untidy | 40 (4.41) |
| Eats without assistance | 862 (95.04) |
| Bathing | |
| Needs assistance or supervision to wash and bathe face and hands and rest of body, respectively | 157 (17.31) |
| Bathes self (tub, shower, sponge bath) without help | 750 (82.69) |
| Grooming (neatness, hair, nails, hands, face, clothing) | |
| Needs assistance or supervision with grooming | 158 (17.42) |
| Always neatly dressed and well-groomed without assistance | 749 (82.58) |
| Dressing | |
| Completely unable to dress self and resists efforts of others to help | 25 (2.76) |
| Needs assistance in dressing and selection of clothes | 164 (18.08) |
| Dresses, undresses, and selects clothes from own wardrobe | 718 (79.16) |
| Toileting | |
| No control of bowels or bladder | 35 (3.86) |
| Needs to be reminded, needs help in cleaning self, or has soiling or wetting accidents while asleep or awake | 116 (12.79) |
| Cares for self at toilet completely; no incontinence | 756 (83.35) |
| Physical ambulation | |
| Sits unsupported in chair or wheelchair but cannot propel self without help | 85 (9.37) |
| Ambulates with assistance of another person, railing, cane, walker, or wheelchair | 168 (18.52) |
| Goes about grounds or city | 654 (72.11) |