[Multidimensional assessment study on the health and functional status of elderly in Xicheng district of Beijing City]

Abstract

This paper evaluates the health and functional status of the elderly in four dimensions, i.e. social support, mental health, physical health, activities of daily living (ADL). The results indicated: a) the ability to live independently was the most important health problem of the elderly in urban area; b) In the elderly, the mental health, physical health and ADL were closely interrelated, social support had various positive effects on the three other dimensions mentioned above; c) income, sex, age and employment history were four important demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing the health and functional status of the elderly. The results also indicated that mean Ridit and the cumulative impairment score are two useful indices for evaluating health and function.