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The Disablement Process in Very Late Life

A Study of the Oldest-Old in Sweden

^a The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
^b University College of Health Sciences, Jönköping, Sweden

Elia E. Femia, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Henderson S-110, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 E-mail: femia{at}erols.com.

Decision Editor: Toni C. Antonucci, PhD

The study examines physical and functional health problems and their relationship to the activity of daily living (ADL) disability experience of a cross-section of Swedish men and women aged over 80 years (N = 203). Using a model of disablement, the relationships among disability variables were simultaneously explored. Results confirmed relatively high rates of disability in this age group, with 36% of respondents having some basic ADL difficulty. Functional impairments (vision and grip strength) and functional limitations (upper and lower body limitations and cognition) were strongly related to disability, with functional limitations being a main driving force for disability. The role of psychosocial variables (depression, subjective health, and social integration) was explored through subsequent model testing. Results showed depression, subjective health, and social integration to potentially mediate the influence of risk factors, impairments, and limitations in the model. The study suggests that modifying psychosocial experiences can greatly affect the disability experience.

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