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Longitudinal study of physical ability in the oldest-old
T Harris1, M G Kovar, R Suzman
1Office of Analysis and Epidemiology, National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD 20782.
American Journal of Public Health
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Maintaining physical ability in older adults is linked to lower mortality and healthcare use. Factors like good health, healthy weight, younger age, and education support continued physical function.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The oldest-old population is growing, necessitating research into factors influencing their physical functioning and health outcomes.
- Functional status is a key determinant of health, independence, and healthcare utilization in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between physical ability and mortality and healthcare utilization in community-dwelling older adults.
- To identify correlates of sustained physical ability over a two-year follow-up period in the oldest-old.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1984 Longitudinal Study on Aging data from 1,791 White individuals aged 80+.
- Physical ability defined by performance in walking, lifting, stair climbing, and stooping/crouching/kneeling.
- Two-year follow-up to assess mortality, healthcare utilization, and continued physical ability.
Main Results:
- One-third of participants had no difficulty with the four functional measures.
- Physical ability was associated with significantly lower risk of death (RO=.4), and lower utilization of hospitals (RO=.4), physicians (RO=.6), and nursing homes (RO=.3).
- Continued physical ability was associated with younger age, higher education, absence of cardiovascular disease and arthritis, and lower BMI.
Conclusions:
- Physical ability is a strong predictor of survival and reduced healthcare use among the oldest-old.
- Factors such as cardiovascular health, arthritis management, healthy weight, and education are important for maintaining physical function.
- Interventions targeting these modifiable factors could help prevent disability and promote healthy aging in this population.