The Validity and Reliability Study of the “Functional Autonomy Measurement System” Among 65 Years and Over Age Group

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish “Functional Autonomy Measurement System” which was developed to evaluate elderly functional independence. Material and Method: This methodological study was conducted with 90 elderly people who live alone or with their family in the Greater Municipality of Ankara, without known psychological and mental disability. In the study, an existing Functional Autonomy Measurement System was used as data collection tool. During the study, language equivalence, content validity, reliability and construct validity of the scale was performed. The data was assessed by using mean, median, standard deviation, Spearman Correlation, Cronbach Alpha coefficient and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The mean age of study participants was 73.44±6.21 years. Spearman correlation coefficient of the scale for test-retest reliability was 0.98 and the Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.95. According to fit indexes of confirmatory factor analysis [x2/SD=294,77/272=1,08; RMSEA= 0,031 (%95 CI 0,00 – 0,054); GFI= 0.99; CFI= 1.00; NFI= 0.99] it was found that three factors were appropriate for the scale. Conclusion: The adoption of the translated “Functional Autonomy Measurement System” in Turkey is found reliable and valid to evaluate functional independence of adults over 65 ages