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Persistent, consistent, widespread, and robust? Another look at recent trends in old-age disability.
R F Schoeni1, V A Freedman, R B Wallace
1RAND, Santa Monica, California, USA. schoeni@rand.org
Summary
Disability prevalence declined among elderly persons from 1982-1996, particularly for routine care needs. However, these improvements were concentrated among the most educated individuals, suggesting education is a key factor.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding trends in disability among the elderly is crucial for public health planning and resource allocation.
- Previous research has indicated varying patterns in disability prevalence over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present novel evidence on disability trends in older adults between 1982 and 1996.
- To analyze changes in disability prevalence and identify factors associated with these trends.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 124,949 participants aged 70+ from the National Health Interview Surveys (1982-1996).
- Employed logistic analysis to estimate disability prevalence trends, controlling for sociodemographic variables.
Main Results:
- Overall disability prevalence decreased, but gains were not consistent throughout the period.
- Routine care disability declined, while severe personal care disability showed no improvement.
- Improvements were most pronounced among highly educated elderly individuals, indicating education as a significant confounder.
Conclusions:
- Multiple national surveys consistently show a decline in disability among the elderly.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific causes behind these observed disability improvements.
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