title: Unmet need for personal assistance with activities of daily living among older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the prevalence, correlates, and negative consequences of unmet need for personal assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) among older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors analyzed cross-sectional data from the 1994 National Health Interview Survey's Supplement on Aging. Data were weighted to be representative of the noninstitutionalized population aged 70 years and older.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 20.7% of those needing help to perform 1 or more ADLs (an estimated 629,000 persons) reported receiving inadequate assistance; for individual ADLs, the prevalence of unmet need ranged from 10.2% (eating) to 20.1% (transferring). The likelihood of having 1 or more unmet needs was associated with lower household income, multiple ADL difficulties, and living alone. Nearly half of those with unmet needs reported experiencing a negative consequence (e.g., unable to eat when hungry) as a result of their unmet need.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater, targeted efforts are needed to reduce the prevalence and consequences of unmet need for ADL assistance in elderly persons.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Lentzner
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Weeks
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012112:Residential Facilities; D016138:Walking