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Health & Well-Being » Functional Health Status

Why It's Important

Functional Health Status is an evaluation of a senior's general health or health risk -- physical, mental, behavioral, pharmacy, nutrition, social support, etc. Functional Health Status is often measured by commonly used tools. Predicting functional health decline (and health care use) can lead to earlier interventions and reduced cost, and better outcomes/quality of life.

 

See Data By: Richmond MSA | Virginia | National

How Richmond Is Doing

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How Virginia Is Doing

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How the U.S. Is Doing

Percentage of medicare enrollees age 65 and over with functional limitations, by reisdential setting, 2005

AgingStats.gov Web site and the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics states that:


Functioning in later years may be diminished if illness, chronic disease, or injury limits physical and/or mental abilities. Changes in functional limitation rates have important implications for work and retirement policies, health and long-term care needs, and the social well-being of the older population.

Percent of Med Enrollees in a Facility

Percent of Med Enrollees in a Facility Notes

  • In 2005, more than two-fifths (42 percent) of people age 65 and over reported a functional limitation. Twelve percent had difficulty per-forming one or more IADLs (but no ADL limitation). Eighteen percent had difficulty with 1-2 ADLs, 5 percent had difficulty with 3-4 ADLs, 3 percent had difficulty with 5-6 ADLs, and 4 percent were in a facility.
  • The age adjusted proportion of people age 65 and over with a functional limitation declined from 49 percent in 1992 to 42 percent in 2005. There was a steady decrease in the percent with limitations from 1992 until 1997. From 1997 to 2005 the overall levels have not significantly changed, although the decline in facility residence has continued.
  • Women have higher levels of functional limitations than men. In 2005, 47 percent of female Medicare enrollees age 65 and over had difficulty with ADLs or IADLs, or were in an institution, compared with 35 percent of male Medicare enrollees. Rates of decline since 1992 are similar for men and women.

Different indicators can be used to monitor functioning, including limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and measures of physical, cognitive, and social functioning. Aspects of physical functioning such as the ability to lift heavy objects, walk 2-3 blocks, or reach up over one's head are more closely linked to physiological capabilities than are ADLs and IADLs, which also may be influenced by social and cultural role expectations and by changes in technology.

 

Percentage of medicare enrollees age 65 and over who are unable to perform certain functions, by sex, 1991 and 2005

 

  • Older women reported more problems with physical functioning than older men. In 2005, 32 percent of women reported they were unable to perform at least one of five activities, compared with 19 percent of men.
  • Problems with physical functioning were more frequent at older ages. Among men aged 65-74, 14 percent reported they were unable to perform at least one of five activities, compared with 38 percent of men aged 85 and over. Among women, 22 percent of those aged 65-74 were unable to perform at least one activity, compared with 56 percent of those aged 85 and over.
  • Physical functioning was not strongly related to race in 2005. Among men, 19 percent of non-Hispanic whites were unable to perform at least one activity, compared with 24 percent of non-Hispanic blacks. Among women, there were no significant differences among non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics, regarding ability to perform at least one activity.

(AGINGSTATS.GOV, HEALTH STATUS CHARTS, INDICATOR 20)

 

Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being is one in a series of periodic reports to the Nation on the condition of older adults in the United States. In this report, 38 indicators (and one special feature) depict the well-being of older Americans in the areas of demographic characteristics, economic circumstances, overall health status, trends in health risks and behaviors, and cost and use of health care services. Selected highlights on Health Status and Health Risk Behaviors follow:

Health Status

  • Americans are living longer than ever before, yet their life expectancies lag behind those of other developed nations.
    • In 2003, women age 65 in Japan could expect to live on average 3.2 years longer than do women in the United States
    • Among men, the difference was 1.2 years
  • Between 1992 and 2005, the age adjusted proportion of people age 65 and over with a functional limitation declined from 49 percent to 42 percent.
  • The prevalence of certain chronic conditions differs by sex.
    • Women report higher levels of arthritis (54 percent versus 43 percent) than men do
    • Men report higher levels of heart disease (37 percent versus 26 percent) and cancer (24 percent versus 19 percent)

Health Risks and Behaviors

  • Social and lifestyle factors that can affect the health and well-being of older Americans include preventive behaviors such as:
    • Cancer screenings, vaccinations
    • Diet, physical activity, obesity
      • There was no significant change in the percentage of people age 65 and over reporting physical activity between 1997 and 2006
      • The percentage of people age 65 and over who are obese has increased between 1988-1994 and 2005-2006, from 22 percent to 31 percent
    • Cigarette smoking
  • Health and well-being is also affected by:
    • The quality of the air where people live
      • The percentage of people age 65 and over living in counties that experienced poor air quality for any air pollutant decreased from 55 percent in 2000 to 34 percent in 2006
    • The time they spend socializing and communicating with others
      • For Americans age 55-64, 13 percent of leisure time was spent socializing and communicating compared with 10 percent for those aged 75 and over

      (AGINGSTATS.GOV, OLDER AMERICANS, 2008)

Data Sources

AgingStats.gov, Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics, Health Status Indicator 20, 2009

http://www.agingstats.gov/agingstatsdotnet/Main_Site/Data/2008_Documents/Health_Status.aspx

AgingStats.gov, Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics, Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being

http://www.agingstats.gov/agingstatsdotnet/Main_Site/Data/2008_Documents/Highlights.aspx

Rand, Center for the Study of Aging, The Relationship Between the Socioeconomic Status and Health of the Elderly

http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB5020/index1.html

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/

Virginia Department for the Aging, 2004 Health Conditions, Disability and Mortality Estimates, 2004
http://www.vda.virginia.gov/2000hcde.asp