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Age distribution and risk factors for the onset of severe disability among community-dwelling older adults with functional limitations.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wu, Y; Huang, H; Wu, B; McCrone, S; Lai, HJ
Published in: Journal of Applied Gerontology
June 2007

This study examines age distribution and risk factors for the onset of severe disability among community-dwelling older adults with functional limitations. Data were obtained from the initial community-dwelling sample (n = 6,088) of the National Long-Term Care Survey in 1982 and the follow-up interviews in 1984, 1989, 1994, and 1999. Multiple proportional hazard regression was conducted using age at onset of severe disability as the dependent variable. Explanatory variables included chronic diseases and sociodemographic and personal characteristics. Of the 3,485 elders who were not severely disabled initially, 1,364 were identified as developing severe disability over time. The onset age ranged from 66 to 109 years with the peak occurring at 82 to 83 years. The predictors for earlier onset of severe disability were paralysis, arthritis, obesity, hypertension, and middle education level (Grades 9-12). These findings provide practical implications for identifying at-risk individuals and developing health behavior interventions to delay onset of severe disability.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Applied Gerontology

DOI

ISSN

0733-4648

Publication Date

June 2007

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

258 / 273

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 52 Psychology
  • 42 Health sciences
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Wu, Y., Huang, H., Wu, B., McCrone, S., & Lai, H. J. (2007). Age distribution and risk factors for the onset of severe disability among community-dwelling older adults with functional limitations. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 26(3), 258–273. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464807300566
Wu, Y., H. Huang, B. Wu, S. McCrone, and H. J. Lai. “Age distribution and risk factors for the onset of severe disability among community-dwelling older adults with functional limitations.Journal of Applied Gerontology 26, no. 3 (June 2007): 258–73. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464807300566.
Wu Y, Huang H, Wu B, McCrone S, Lai HJ. Age distribution and risk factors for the onset of severe disability among community-dwelling older adults with functional limitations. Journal of Applied Gerontology. 2007 Jun;26(3):258–73.
Wu, Y., et al. “Age distribution and risk factors for the onset of severe disability among community-dwelling older adults with functional limitations.Journal of Applied Gerontology, vol. 26, no. 3, June 2007, pp. 258–73. Manual, doi:10.1177/0733464807300566.
Wu Y, Huang H, Wu B, McCrone S, Lai HJ. Age distribution and risk factors for the onset of severe disability among community-dwelling older adults with functional limitations. Journal of Applied Gerontology. 2007 Jun;26(3):258–273.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Applied Gerontology

DOI

ISSN

0733-4648

Publication Date

June 2007

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

258 / 273

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 52 Psychology
  • 42 Health sciences
  • 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences