Contribution of chronic conditions to aggregate changes in old-age functioning

Objectives. This study explored the role of various chronic conditions in e xplaining recent improvements in functioning among older Americans. Methods. We used the Supplements on Aging to the 1984 and 1994 National Hea lth Interview Surveys to examine changes among Americans 70 years and older in reports of chronic conditions and functional limitations. We decomposed functioning changes into condition-related components, controlling for dem ographic shifts. Results. The percentage of older Americans with upper- and lower-body limit ations declined from 5.1% and 34.2%, respectively, in 1984 to 4.3% and 28.5 % in 1995, and the average number of lower body limitations decreased. Duri ng the same period reports of 8 of 9 chronic conditions increased, but many of these conditions had less debilitating effects on functioning. Reductio ns in the debilitating effects of various chronic conditions-particularly a rthritis-are important in explaining declines in limitations experienced by older Americans. Conclusions. Earlier diagnosis and improved treatment and management of chr onic conditions, rather than prevention, may be important contributing fact ors to improvements in upper- and lower-body functioning among older Americ ans.