Activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability in Swedish 85-year-olds born three decades apart-findings from the H70 study

• Objective: Older adults make up the fastest growing segment of the population, and disability rates increase with age. There is much debate whether later born cohorts of 85-year-olds will face the same disability rates as earlier born cohorts. This study aimed to examine ADL and IADL disability in three birth cohorts of Swedish 85-year-olds born three decades apart, examined in 1986-87, 2008-10 and 2015-16, as well as potential factors associated with ADL and IADL disability in these birth-cohorts. Methods: Systematically selected population-based birth cohorts of 85-year-olds (n= 1,551) from theGothenburg H70 Birth Cohort studies, Sweden, born in 1901-02 (n= 494), 1923-24 (n= 571) and 1930 (n= 486) and examined with identical methods. Disability was defined as a need for assistance in any ADL/IADL activities. Results: ADL/IADL disability decreased between cohorts in both men and women (from 76.7% in 1986-87, to 58.4% in 2008-10, and 48.4% in 2015-16, P-value trend <.001). Factors associated with ADL/IADL disability varied between cohorts, although dementia and depression increased the odds of disability in all three birth cohorts. Conclusion: Later born cohorts of 85-year-olds face less ADL/IADL disability compared to earlier born cohorts. As disability poses a significant financial burden on healthcare services, our findings might contribute to a more positive view on global ageing and the demographic challenges ahead. However, it might also be that in later born cohorts, ADL/IADL disability affects people at later ages, but due to increased longevity, the total number of years in late-life with a functional disability will remain the same.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Geriatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Geriatrics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

activities of daily living (ADL)

instrumental activities of daily

living (IADL)

disability

cohort comparison

older people

functional disability

older-adults

trends

population

prevalence

ability

cohorts

health

Geriatrics & Gerontology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)