Trajectories of disability among the oldest old.

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzes trajectories of disability from onset until death in an 80+ population.

METHODS

The study population (N = 434) consists of all persons born before 1902 living in the town of Larvik, Norway, in January 1981 (N = 434). By registering illnesses and activities of daily living (ADL) limitations, each participant was followed until the last one died in 1999.

RESULTS

Main trajectories of disability were (a) serious dementia, (b) severely dependent, (c) frail, and (d) fairly healthy. Multivariate analyses show significant effects of gender and age but no effect of socioeconomic status (SES) and marital status on the probability of entering one of four main trajectories.

DISCUSSION

Although there are many exceptions, the trajectory of disability among the oldest old most often takes a serious course, particularly among women.