The health status of the 'old-old': a reconsideration

This paper questions the universal applicability and utility of age groupings among the elderly and the predictions which result concerning health status and costs as more people live beyond age 75. Comprehensive health data from an elderly population in rural Minnesota show the 'old-old' to be comparable to and in some respects better off than the 'young-old'. Drawing on the notions of "compression of morbidity' and survivorship, this study suggests looking beyond simple age distinctions in order to identify groups with increased risk.