[Disabled and handicapped in the Aquitaine region]

An extension of the national survey on health and medical consumption conducted in 1981 on a random sample of the population living at home in Aquitaine used questionnaire on presence of disability and handicap (according to WHO definition). Occupations, mobility, personal care, communication restriction are observed in respectively 10.6, 3.3 and 1.5% of the sample. Because people aged 60 and over are concerned in 60 to more than 80% according disability or handicap dimension, analysis of those was follow up for this only population. Personal and domestic care disabilities are then noted for one out of eight persons, communication disabilities are present among one subject out of twenty. One person out of seven is restricted for mobility and physical independence whereas one out of four was restricted for customary occupations and one out of ten for social relationships. Those aged 75 and over are three of four times more often involved than those aged 60 to 74 with the exception of usual occupations. The 5% of those defined as dependent and nevertheless living alone are the ones that are likely to be institutionalized because of a minor intercurrent health problem.