Trajectories of disability among the oldest old.
OBJECTIVE
This study analyzes trajectories of disability from onset until death in an 80+ population.


METHODS
The study population (N = 434) consists of all persons born before 1902 living in the town of Larvik, Norway, in January 1981 (N = 434). By registering illnesses and activities of daily living (ADL) limitations, each participant was followed until the last one died in 1999.


RESULTS
Main trajectories of disability were (a) serious dementia, (b) severely dependent, (c) frail, and (d) fairly healthy. Multivariate analyses show significant effects of gender and age but no effect of socioeconomic status (SES) and marital status on the probability of entering one of four main trajectories.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there are many exceptions, the trajectory of disability among the oldest old most often takes a serious course, particularly among women.
Romoren
Tor Inge
TI
Norwegian Social Research--NOVA, Oslo, Norway. toringe@romoren.no
Blekeseaune
Morten
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000375:Aging; D003704:Dementia; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors