Arthritis, a prevalent chronic condition among older adults, significantly impacts functional abilities, particularly when compounded by vision-related diseases (e.g., cataracts, glaucoma) and comorbidities such as diabetes, chronic anxiety, or dementia. This study examines how these conditions collectively influence mobility, autonomy, self-care, and the use of basic technologies like mobile phone, which are crucial for social engagement and independence in older adults residing in care centers. Method. Using the EDAD (2023) database, we analyzed data from 1,623 older adults (average age 85.08 years) diagnosed with arthritis across Spanish care centers. The study examined 37 variables, including a dependent variable measuring difficulty using communication devices (e.g., telephones), six vision-related variables, 14 self-care variables, and 16 mobility variables, with tasks evaluated with and without assistance or technical aids. Difficulty levels were measured on a 4-point Likert scale. Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson, and Spearman rho correlations were employed to evaluate internal consistency and associations between variables. Results. The scale demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha 0.9745), with Spearman rho correlations between communication difficulties and functional dependency variables ranging from 0.1974 to 0.8214, indicating strong associations with tasks like driving and adhering to medical prescriptions. Comorbidities, including cataracts, diabetes, chronic anxiety, and dementias, were prevalent and exacerbated functional challenges. Discussion. These findings highlight a complex interplay between visual, physical, and cognitive impairments that amplifies functional dependency and hinders technology use, consistent with prior studies on arthritis and vision-related limitations. The high internal consistency suggests a cohesive construct but raises concerns about item redundancy, while the lack of comprehensive studies on technology use underscores the need for accessible solutions like voice-activated devices. Conclusion. This study emphasizes the urgent need for tailored, user-friendly technologies to enhance autonomy and social connectivity in older adults with arthritis, proposing advanced analytical methods like topological data analysis and clustering to develop targeted interventions, despite limitations in generalizability and qualitative insights.