Wellbeing at older ages: Towards an inclusive and multidimensional measure.
Sophie Mitra, Debra L Brucker, Katie M Jajtner
PMID 32354618WHAT IT FOUND
Most older adults with disabilities do not meet this study's threshold for wellbeing, with rates ranging from 4% to 18% depending on the limitation type.
However, they share similar levels of social connection and health insurance coverage as those without disabilities.
Key findings
0133% of all adults aged 60 and older were found to experience multidimensional wellbeing using the study's defined thresholds.
02Wellbeing rates varied significantly by disability status, ranging from a low of 4% for those with severely limiting health conditions to a high of 18% for those with ADL limitations.
03There was no significant gap in wellbeing between older persons with and without disabilities regarding social connection and health insurance indicators.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
The study did not differentiate disabilities by age at onset. Physical security (e.g., abuse) was not included as an indicator due to data unavailability. The measure relies on self-reported data and specific threshold assumptions (80% achievement rate). The study used a cross-sectional design, so it cannot determine causality or changes over time.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflict of interest. The research was supported by the N.I.H. (Extramural) and Non-U.S. Gov't.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the 4% to 18% wellbeing rates as evidence that people with disabilities cannot experience wellbeing. These figures reflect a specific, high-threshold definition of multidimensional achievement used in this study, not a clinical assessment of quality of life.