OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to provide new evidence on disability trends among elderly persons from 1982 to 1996. METHODS: The sample includes 124,949 participants aged 70 and older in the 1982-1996 National Health Interview Surveys. Logistic analysis was used to estimate the trend in disability prevalence after controlling for various sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: We found that: (a) the prevalence of disability has declined, but the gains did not persist throughout the entire period or accelerate over time; (b) only routine care disability has declined, whereas more severe personal care disability shows no improvements; (c) estimates are robust to the exclusion of the nursing home population but may be sensitive to growth in the assisted living population; (d) estimates of decline in disability prevalence are fairly consistent across five national surveys; (e) gains have been concentrated among the most educated elderly persons; and (f) gains in education appear to be an important confounder of the improvements. DISCUSSION: Evidence from several surveys using various measures indicates that disability has declined among elderly persons. Determining the causes of the improvements should be a high priority in future research efforts.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to provide new evidence on disability trends among elderly persons from 1982 to 1996. METHODS: The sample includes 124,949 participants aged 70 and older in the 1982-1996 National Health Interview Surveys. Logistic analysis was used to estimate the trend in disability prevalence after controlling for various sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: We found that: (a) the prevalence of disability has declined, but the gains did not persist throughout the entire period or accelerate over time; (b) only routine care disability has declined, whereas more severe personal care disability shows no improvements; (c) estimates are robust to the exclusion of the nursing home population but may be sensitive to growth in the assisted living population; (d) estimates of decline in disability prevalence are fairly consistent across five national surveys; (e) gains have been concentrated among the most educated elderly persons; and (f) gains in education appear to be an important confounder of the improvements. DISCUSSION: Evidence from several surveys using various measures indicates that disability has declined among elderly persons. Determining the causes of the improvements should be a high priority in future research efforts.
Authors: Dana P Goldman; Baoping Shang; Jayanta Bhattacharya; Alan M Garber; Michael Hurd; Geoffrey F Joyce; Darius N Lakdawalla; Constantijn Panis; Paul G Shekelle Journal: Health Aff (Millwood) Date: 2005 Impact factor: 6.301
Authors: Jersey Liang; Joan M Bennett; Benjamin A Shaw; Ana R Quiñones; Wen Ye; Xiao Xu; Mary Beth Ofstedal Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2008-09 Impact factor: 4.077