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Review
. 2004;82(1):157-94.
doi: 10.1111/j.0887-378x.2004.00305.x.

Changes in elderly disability rates and the implications for health care utilization and cost

Brenda C Spillman  1
Affiliations
Review

Changes in elderly disability rates and the implications for health care utilization and cost

Brenda C Spillman. Milbank Q. 2004.

Abstract

Recent research indicates declining age-adjusted chronic disability among older Americans, which might moderate health care costs in the coming decades. This study examines the trend's underlying components using data from the 1984-1999 National Long-Term Care Surveys to better understand the reasons for the declines and potential implications for acute and long-term care. The reductions occurred primarily for activities like financial management and shopping. Assistance with personal care activities associated with greater frailty fell less, and independence with assistive devices rose. Institutional residence was stable. More needs to be known about the extent to which these declines reflect environmental improvements allowing greater independence at any level of health, rather than improvements in health, before concluding that the declines will mean lower costs.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Actual and Age-Standardized Chronic Disability
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean Number of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) with Help among the Chronically Disabled Elderly, 1984–1999
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean Number of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) among Chronically Disabled Elderly Living in the Community, 1984–1999
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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