Health
Seniors' health improving
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 25, 2006
Chronic disability among older Americans has dropped dramatically, and the rate of decline has accelerated during the past two decades, according to a new data analysis by the National Long Term Care Survey.
The study, published in the Nov. 28 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that the prevalence of chronic disability among people 65 and older fell from 26.5% in 1982 to 19% in 2004-05. The findings suggest that older Americans' health and function continues to improve at a critical time as Medicare's fiscal health is questioned and the baby boomers begin turning 60.
Environmental modifications, assistive technologies and biomedical advances may be behind these declines, researchers said. Additionally, the emergence of assisted living facilities, changes in Medicare reimbursement policies and improved rehabilitation services also might be fueling an accompanying decline in the institutionalization of older people.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/12/25/hlbf1225.htm.
