THE STRUCTURE OF HEALTH-STATUS AMONG HISPANIC, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, AND WHITE OLDER ADULTS

Activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, and disability m arkers have traditionally been the most common indicators of functiona l status. The study on Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) is used to replicate a five-dimensional measurement model comp osed of these observable indicators among the older adult self-respond ents. The items available to measure upper body disability were found wanting, but the lower body disability, and the basic, household, and advanced ADL constructs were confirmed. Analyses of the measurement mo del separately among subgroups of women, men, Hispanics, Mexican Ameri cans, African Americans, and Whites found no meaningful differences. T wo structural models linking the lower body disability, and the basic, household, and advanced ADL constructs to perceived health and depres sion were also replicated among the older adult self-respondents, as w ell as separately among African Americans and among Whites. These mode ls reaffirmed the dominant role of lower body disability on Be everyda y activities of older adults, and on their perceived health and depres sion.