Happy life expectancy among older adults: differences by sex and functional limitations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the happy life expectancy in older adults differs according to sex and functional limitations.METHODS: Life expectancy was estimated by Chiang method, and happy life expectancy wasestimated by Sullivan method, combining mortality data with the prevalence of happiness.The questions on happiness and limitations came from a health survey, which interviewed1,514 non-institutionalized older adults living in the city of Campinas, SP, Southeastern Brazil.The happy life expectancy was estimated by sex, age, and functional limitations. Based on thevariance and standard error of the happy life expectancy, we estimated 95% confidence intervals,which allowed us to compare the statistical differences of the number of happy years lived amongmen and women.RESULTS: Differences by sex in happy life expectancy were significant at ages 60, 65, and 70.In absolute terms, women live more years happily. But, in relative terms, older men could expectto live proportionally more years with happiness. Happy life expectancy decreased significantlywith increasing age in both men and women. Among older people living without functionallimitation, differences by sex were statistically significant in all age groups, except at age 80.In the group with limitations, no significant differences by sex were found. Significant differencesbetween the group without and with functional limitations were seen in both men and women.CONCLUSIONS: Older men could expect to live a greater proportion of their lives happilyin comparison to same-aged women, but women show more years with happiness than men.Functional limitations have a significant impact on happy life expectancy for both sexes