Disability and use of support services within the Canadian aboriginal population.

The objectives of this paper are to explore the health status of the Canadian aboriginal population measured by disability and the type of support services that are used. Activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are focused upon, with data drawn from the 1991 Aboriginal Peoples Survey. Patterns and types of disability are noted to be similar to those observed within the overall Canadian population, with a greater prevalence of mobility, hearing and agility limitations with increasing age. Whilst those who required assistance appeared to receive help, the use of external support agencies (as opposed to family or friends) was limited. Geographical variations between urban and non-urban areas in terms of the proportion of the population receiving support or the type of support received were minimal.