Changes in functional ability from ages 70 to 75. A Danish longitudinal study.

The purpose of this article is (a) to describe changes in functional ability from the age of 70 to 75 years, (b) to examine whether a new functional ability measure is a good predictor of dependency, and (c) to examine whether sociodemographic factors are associated with transitions. The investigation is part of the longitudinal study of the 1914 population in Glostrup, Denmark, and comprised 576 men and women who were interviewed in their homes about functional ability, social situation, and so forth when they were 70 and 75 years old. Tiredness in mobility and daily activities measured by two functional ability scales at age 70 were independent predictors of need for help in mobility and daily activities at age 75. Among the sociodemographic variables, education among women and income among men were found to be independent predictors of dependency at age 75.