Predictors of disability in the final year of life

Disability among deceased subjects in the Duke Established Population for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) survey was analyzed to determine the risk of becoming disabled before or during the final year of life and the predictors of this disability. The method was a comparison of the base...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of aging and health Vol. 9; no. 3; p. 283
Main Authors Palmore, E B, Burchett, B M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.08.1997
Subjects
African Americans
Age Factors
Aged
Depression
Disabled Persons
Female
Health Status
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Mortality
North Carolina
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
North Carolina
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Summary:Disability among deceased subjects in the Duke Established Population for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) survey was analyzed to determine the risk of becoming disabled before or during the final year of life and the predictors of this disability. The method was a comparison of the baseline characteristics of decedents who became disabled with the characteristics of decedents who were not disabled. It was found that 63% of the initially nondisabled who survived to the next interview remained able to do the basic activities of daily living without help, at least until a few months before death. Multivariate analysis showed that initial age, income, depression, and self-rated health were strong and independent predictors of becoming disabled. The findings suggest that reducing poverty, depression, and illness may reduce the risk of disability in the final year.
ISSN:0898-2643
1552-6887
DOI:10.1177/089826439700900301