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Abstract
The effects of disability on an aging population's health and welfare are an important issue in gerontological research. The rapid growth of the elderly population and increases in longevity have led to an ongoing debate about whether longer lives can be matched by longer active lives that are free from disability. After a detailed review of current disability literature, the authors discuss the impact of disability in the elderly, defining disability and reviewing three classes of disability—physical, mental, and social. Both subjective and objective disability measures are described, and disability trends and prevalence rates are reviewed and compared cross culturally, by gender, by age, and over time. The path from chronic disease to disability is described and the consequences of living with disability are discussed in terms of family burdens and the increased need for medical care.
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Notes on contributors
Glenn V. Ostir
All of the authors are with the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health and the Center on Aging at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Drs Black and Goodwin are also with the Department of Internal Medicine at UTMB.
John E. Carlson
All of the authors are with the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health and the Center on Aging at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Drs Black and Goodwin are also with the Department of Internal Medicine at UTMB.
Sandra A. Black
All of the authors are with the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health and the Center on Aging at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Drs Black and Goodwin are also with the Department of Internal Medicine at UTMB.
Laura Rudkin
All of the authors are with the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health and the Center on Aging at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Drs Black and Goodwin are also with the Department of Internal Medicine at UTMB.
James S. Goodwin
All of the authors are with the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health and the Center on Aging at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Drs Black and Goodwin are also with the Department of Internal Medicine at UTMB.
Kyriakos S. Markides
All of the authors are with the Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health and the Center on Aging at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Drs Black and Goodwin are also with the Department of Internal Medicine at UTMB.