America's Elderly Population and Their Need for Supportive Services

Abstract: Examined the characteristics of older adults and their needs for supportive services. Data were obtained from the Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest-Old (AHEAD) survey on 8,222 adults aged 70 and older in 1993 and 6,047 housing units. It was found that the population aged 70 and older is largely female and increasingly so with age, rising to 79.2 percent for adults aged 90 and older. The educational achievement and occupational status of older adults reflects societywide trends, and 9 percent are currently employed. The best measures of the health of older adults and their need for assistance are measures of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs). While about 19 percent of adults aged 70-74 had difficulty with at least one ADL, 74 percent of those aged 90 and older had difficulty with at least one ADL. For IADLs, the percentage increased from 20 percent to 74 percent across the same age range. The results suggest that a variety of responses are required to meet older adults' diverse needs for supportive services.

ADL and IADL Impairments/Health Services for the Aged

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