[Quality of life, health and social contacts in elderly people unable to go out-of-doors].

The study includes 1,261 individuals aged 70-95 years old selected at random in four Danish communes with varying degree of urbanization. In October-November, 1986 they answered a mailed questionnaire on health and, social situation, quality of life, and utilization of health and social services. The object of the article is to describe elderly persons with reduced ability to leave their homes. The proportion with difficulty in leaving their home is 13% and 7% need help to get outdoors. The proportion with mobility problems is larger among women and increases with increasing age. Mobility is not associated with urbanization, household composition, housing situation, floor, stairs and social class. Mobility problems are more frequent among elderly with the lowest incomes and the most extensive health problems. Mobility problems are associated with reduced quality of life, negative self-esteem reduced social network and poor "means of communication" (hearing and sight). Elderly persons with mobility problems use more health and social services than those with unrestricted mobility. However, the use of services from the primary health services are more frequent among those who can get outdoors with some difficulty than among those who cannot get outdoors on their own. Lack of engagement toward the problems of this group of elderly must be anticipated to lead to great health and social requirements in this group in the years to come.