Disability care and mortality among people over 80 in China

People over age 80 with disability in activities of daily living (ADL) are a growing vulnerable group in China. Studies done elsewhere show that such individuals face higher mortality when their care needs are unmet, but little is known about the situation in China. Using data from a national 10-year cohort study, we examined 4163 adults over 80 with ADL disability. Only 47.8 % of participants reported that their care needs were being met. Unmet needs were associated with depressive symptoms. Participants who had their care needs met had 31 % lower mortality than those who did not. Met care needs were more protective for urban than rural participants, and for married than unmarried participants. New approaches are needed to provide care for this growing population.