[Motor performance and motor handicaps in the 60 to 90-year-old urban population]

Abstract

The motor performance and ADL-abilities of 770 individuals age 60 to 90 were examined within a population study carried out in Berlin West. The results of the "Test for Measuring Motor Impairment in Prevalence Studies" (Jefferys et al. 1969) show the distribution of motor disabilities, impairments, and handicaps in the population and how it depends on the area of residence, sex, and age. The question to what extent the motor malfunction affects the capabilities in everyday self-maintenance (ADL-Index, self rating) is traced. Finally, the prevalence of different degrees of dependency is estimated for various age groups.