Changes and Differentials in the Prevalence of Activity Limitations among Finns Aged 65-74: Comparison of the Mini-Finland Health Examination Survey (1978-80) and the FINRISK-97 Senior Survey (1997)

Abstract

This study analyses time trends in the prevalence of activity limitations and consequent need for help according to gender, education and marital status among Finns aged 65-74 years. The study is based on the Mini-Finland Health Examination Study carried out in 1978-80 and the FINRISK-97 Senior Survey collected in 1997. During the past 20 years, functional capacity of the elderly at ages 65 to 74 has improved markedly. Women, more often than men, have limitations in several activities, but the reverse is true in some activities. Persons with higher than basic education have less activity limitations than others. Married or cohabiting men report fewer difficulties in several activities than other men, but among women differences according to marital status are small. A continuation of the observed decline in functional limitations would significantly attenuate the increasing trend in the burden of disability that is to be expected because of the ageing of the population.