Disability in older adults 1: Prevalence, causes, and consequences

The effects of disability on an aging population's health and welfare are a n important issue in gerontological research. The rapid growth of the elder ly population and increases in longevity have led to an ongoing debate abou t whether longer lives can be matched by longer active lives that are free from disability. After a derailed review of current disability literature, the authors discuss the impact of disability in the elderly, defining disab ility and reviewing three classes of disability-physical, mental, and socia l. Both subjective and objective disability measures are described, and dis ability trends and prevalence rates are reviewed and compared cross cultura lly, by gender; by age, and over time. The path from chronic disease to dis ability is described and the consequences of living with disability are dis cussed in terms of family burdens and the increased need for medical care.