HOME ASSISTANCE AMONG DEPENDENT ELDERLY P ERSONS IN THE MONTREAL REGION - A SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM THE HEALTH-AND-ACTIVITY-LIMITATIONS-SURVEY, 1986-1987

Secondary analysis of data from the Health and Activity Limitations Su rvey (HALS) in the metropolitan Montreal area shows that 3.5 out of 10 elderly persons living in a household had a disability. In this descr iptive research, we locate the dependency level according to the attri butes of the elderly and of their residence. Approximately three out o f four elderly with a disability receive help and one out of three are assessed as needing more help. Assistance varies with the person who helps. The family mostly helps for everyday activities, friends for sh opping, and private or governmental services for personal care and hou sehold tasks. Assistance varies also with the marital status of the el derly person. Finally, the presence of special devices is associated w ith type of housing.