Activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability in Swedish 85-year-olds born three decades apart - Findings from the H70 study

Abstract

Objective: Older adults make up the fastest growing segment of the population, and disability rates increase with age. Tere is much debate whether later born cohorts of 85-year-olds will face the same disability rates as earlier born cohorts. Tis study aimed to examine ADL and IADL disability in three birth cohorts of Swedish 85-year-olds born three decades apart, examined in 1986 87, 2008 10 and 2015-16, as well as potential factors associated with ADL and IADL disability in these birth-cohorts. Methods: Systematically selected population-based birth cohorts of 85-year-olds (n = 1,551) from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort studies, Sweden, born in 1901 02 (n = 494), 1923 24 (n = 571) and 1930 (n = 486) and examined with identical methods. Disability was defined as a need for assistance in any ADL/IADL activities. Results: ADL/IADL disability decreased between cohorts in both men and women (from 76.7% in 1986 87, to 58.4% in 2008 10, and 48.4% in 2015 16, P-value trend