Explaining Disability Trends in the U.S. Elderly and Near-Elderly Population.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine disability trends among U.S. near-elderly and elderly persons and explain observed trends.

Data source

1996-2010 waves of the Health and Retirement Study.

Study design

We first examined trends in Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living limitations, and large muscle, mobility, gross motor, and fine motor indexes. Then we used decomposition analysis to estimate contributions of changes in sociodemographic composition, self-reported chronic disease prevalence and health behaviors, and changes in disabling effects of these factors to disability changes between 1996 and 2010.

Principal findings

Disability generally increased or was unchanged. Increased trends were more apparent for near-elderly than elderly persons

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4600360 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature