According to a national survey, the percentage of older adults aged 72 years and older that reported they were fully able to carry out self-care and mobility activities (such as dressing or going outside) decreased in the recorded time period. As of 2021, only roughly one in five older adults was fully able to perform self-care and mobility activities, down from nearly 27 percent in 2011. This means the other four in five adults needed some kind of assistance, assistive devices, or doesn't do one or more activities.
Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021
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Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021
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The source adds the following: "Self-care and mobility limitations summarizes the ability to perform in the last month the following seven activities – going outside, getting around inside, getting in/out of bed, eating, bathing, toileting, and dressing. Individuals are classified into one of four hierarchical categories: 1) fully able to do all activities (no assistance, difficulty, or device use for any activity); 2) successfully accommodates one or more activities with assistive devices (but no assistance or difficulty); 3) has difficulty when carried out independently (but with devices, if used) with one or more activities (but no assistance); and 4) receives assistance or doesn’t do one or more activities. Individuals missing information on one or more of the activities were assigned the highest value among the non-missing activities."
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Institute for Social Research (MiCDA). (July 1, 2023). Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
Institute for Social Research (MiCDA). "Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021." Chart. July 1, 2023. Statista. Accessed April 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
Institute for Social Research (MiCDA). (2023). Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
Institute for Social Research (MiCDA). "Percentage of Older Adults Who Reported Being Fully Able or Having Difficulty Carrying out Self-care and Mobility Activities in The U.S. from 2011 to 2021." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Jul 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
Institute for Social Research (MiCDA), Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/ (last visited April 16, 2025)
Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021 [Graph], Institute for Social Research (MiCDA), July 1, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
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