Changes and Differentials in the Prevalence of Activity Limitations among Finns Aged 65-74: Comparison of the Mini-Finland Health Examination Survey (1978-80) and the FINRISK-97 Senior Survey (1997)

This study analyses time trends in the prevalence of activity limitations andconsequent need for help according to gender, education and marital status amongFinns aged 65-74 years. The study is based on the Mini-Finland Health ExaminationStudy carried out in 1978-80 and the FINRISK-97 Senior Survey collected in 1997.During the past 20 years, functional capacity of the elderly at ages 65 to 74 hasimproved markedly. Women, more often than men, have limitations in severalactivities, but the reverse is true in some activities. Persons with higher than basiceducation have less activity limitations than others. Married or cohabiting men reportfewer difficulties in several activities than other men, but among women differencesaccording to marital status are small. A continuation of the observed decline infunctional limitations would significantly attenuate the increasing trend in the burdenof disability that is to be expected because of the ageing of the population.