Health among older adults - ARCHIVED

Our improving life expectancy in Canada does not necessarily mean more years in poor health. Older adults can expect an improved quality as well as an extended quantity of life compared with 20 years ago.

Aging does not necessarily result in a continuous decline in health. Close to half of older Canadians who reported fair or poor health in 1994/95 reported an improvement in their health in 1998/99.

The rate of institutionalization for Canadians aged 65 or older declined from 16% in 1981 to 14% in 1996, even with increases in life expectancy.

The rate of activity limitation among adults aged 65 to 74 who live at home has declined since 1978; among adults aged 75 or older who live at home, the rate has not changed since 1978.

The socioeconomic trends observed in younger age groups continue among older adults, although less so. Seniors who did not graduate from high school have increased odds of dying; those with low incomes have increased odds of institutionalization.