Antecedents of Disability for Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Health Conditions

Data from community-dwelling older adults (65+) with two or more chronic health conditions who participated in a 30-month longitudinal panel survey ( N = 898) are used to examine the factors that are associated with the presence and development of functional disabilities. Both logistic regression and discrete time hazard models are used to address the risk factors associated with the presence and development of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living disabilities. Results indicate that education, income, and age are consistent predictors of disability, and that arthritis and obesity have consistently stronger effects on disability than do other chronic conditions. A need for stronger conceptual models focusing on disability is discussed.