Changes in the Prevalence of Mobility Limitations and Mobile Life Expectancy of Older Adults in Singapore, 1995-2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in the prevalence of mobility limitations and mobile life expectancy of Singaporeans aged 55+. METHOD: Data came from the cross-sectional 1995 and 2005 National Survey of Senior Citizens (NSSC; n = 4,750 and n = 4,591, respectively). The prevalence-based Sullivan method was used to disaggregate total life expectancy into expected life time without and with mobility limitations. RESULTS: Increases in life expectancy in the city-state were accompanied by increases in the prevalence of mobility limitations-from 3.0% to 5.7% for men and 5.1% to 9.7% for women. The impairments mostly began after age 65 and increased with age particularly at ages 85+. The proportion of life expectancy without mobility limitations declined over time, at all ages, and for both genders, with women still experiencing a higher proportion with mobility problems compared to men. DISCUSSION: The overall results provided support for the expansion of morbidity hypothesis, and we discussed some possible reasons. From a policy perspective, the findings could suggest a need to develop infrastructures that would enable older Singaporeans to remain mobile in a highly urban setting.