Prevalence of Disability in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Among Elderly Japanese

Abstract

The prevalence of disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was assessed for seven items of activity -- among them, using public transportation, using the telephone, and shopping -- in 7,735 elderly residents living in an urban Japanese community. The prevalence of disability generally was low (ranging from 6.1% in heating water to 15.9% in preparing meals), but increased significantly with age. The prevalence was higher, controlling by age, in females than in males, with the exception of preparing meals.