Objectives: Balance is an index to determine the level of independency of elderly (65 years and older) in their daily activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a functional training program on static and dynamic balance of elderly male able-bodied subjects.

Methods & Materials: Thirty elderly male subjects (age:70.83±3 y, weight:70.60±2.44 kg, height:1.78±2.28 m) participated in this study where they randomly divided in two control and experimental groups. The pre-test of Sharpened-Romberg (static balance with eyes open and close) and Timed-get up and go (dynamic balance) balance tests applied a day before starting functional training program. Experimental group participated in functional training program three days a week for six weeks. Control group asked to continue their daily activity. The post-test applied afterward. Descriptive statistics, T-test for independent samples and paired sample T-test (α≤0.05) applied for statistical analysis.

Results: No significant differences seen in all three balance tests between two groups, but experimental group had better performance than control group in post-test. Paired sample T-test showed significant differences between pre and post-tests in all three tests for experimental group while no differences observed in control group.

Conclusion: Due to results, static and dynamic balance among participants of this study is improved as a result of using functional training program. However, further evaluation needed to be done for long-term effects of using functional training program.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine elderly abuse rates, subtypes and related factors in the members of senior social clubs in the city of Tehran.

Methods & Materials: This was a cross-sectional survey including 379 elders 65 years and older (125 men and 254 women) presenting to the senior social clubs in Tehran. A face-to-face interview was carried out with every participant either at home or in clubs. Initially, individuals' cognitive states were evaluated using the Iranian version of the Abbreviated Mental Test Score and if scores of 6 and over were obtained, they were included in the study after taking informed consent. Subsequently, the Domestic Elderly Abuse Questionnaire, the Activities of Daily Living Scale for elderly people and a questionnaire designed by the authors for collecting demographic and personal data were completed. The gathered data were analyzed using the Chi square and T tests.

Results: The total frequency of elderly abuse was 25.9%. The most frequent subtypes were emotional neglect (17.4%) and psychological abuse (17.2%) and the least were related to abandonment (3.7%) and physical abuse (4.7%). Some factors including sex (P<0.0001), health insurance (P<0.04), occupation (P<0.0001), sufficient financial resources (P<0.0001), drug abuse (P<0.017), mean age (P<0.026), number of children (P<0.03), functional status (P<0.0001) and re-hospitalization (P<0.0001) were significantly different between the abused and non-abused people.

Conclusion: Given the high rates of elderly abuse, serious measures must be taken to prevent its long-term consequences.