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Resolving Discrepancies in Old-Age Disability Trends Across National Surveys: Report From a Technical Working Group

Vicki Freedman, Eileen Crimmins, Robert Schoeni, Brenda Spillman, Hakan Aykan, Kenneth Land, James Lubitz, Kenneth G. Manton, Linda Martin, Diane Shinberg, Timothy Waidmann

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Posted to Web: August 01, 2004

Permanent Link: http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=1000810

This article attempts to resolve previously published inconsistencies across national surveys in trends in activity limitations among the elderly. The authors prepared estimates from five national surveys from 1982-2001, and investigated sources of the inconsistencies. The panel found consistent declines of 1%-2.5% per year for two commonly used disability measures: difficulty with, and help with daily activities. Mixed evidence was found for the use of help or equipment. The panel found that the period, definition of disability, treatment of the institutionalized population, and age standardizing of results affected results. The implications of the findings for policy, national survey efforts, and further research are discussed. (Freedman, VA, E Crimmins, RF Schoeni, B Spillman, H Aykan, K Land, J Lubitz, K Manton, L Martin, D Shinberg, T Waidmann. 2004. "Resolving Discrepancies in Old-Age Disability Trends Across National Surveys: Report From a Technical Working Group." Demography 41(3):417-441.)

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