Health conditions for activity limitations among elder Puerto Rican males

The impact of health conditions for activity involvement among 235 elder Puerto Rican males 65 years of age and older was studied. This study was made up of 18 questions: a list of ten health conditions and eight activities. It is a part of a larger study (173 questions) concerning the socio-demographic graphic status of the Puerto Rican elderly. The statistical test of significance carried out was that of Kendall's Tau B. Multiple health conditions were found to impair involvement in activities. These were in order of magnitude: heart illness, hearing, mental health and high blood pressure. The activities most impaired were cleaning the yard, tying or putting on shoes, clean or wash floor and climb stairs. These limitations have serious implications for the type of living arrangement that should be pursued by elderly males and the housing options that need to be offered by social policy planners.