4102.0 - Australian Social Trends, 1995
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 20/06/1995
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Health Status: Older people with disabilities
Changes in disability and handicap rates In 1981, 13% of the population had a disability and of these 31% (594,100 people) were aged 65 and over. In 1988, 16% of the population had a disability and 36% of these were aged 65 and over. Comparing the two populations, it was estimated that about half the difference between 1981 and 1988 was attributable to changes in the size and composition of the total population. Changing community attitudes, perhaps influenced by the International Year of Disabled People in 1981, may also have resulted in greater willingness to admit to disabling conditions, and therefore an increase in the numbers identified through the screening questions as having a disability. In 1993, 18% of the population (3.2 million people) were identified as having a disability. 36% were aged 65 and over. The overall population proportion showed an apparent increase of two percentage points between 1988 and 1993. However, when the data are standardised to allow for the change in the age structure of the population and for the change in the definition of disability between the two surveys, it is estimated that there was an increase of 0.6% in the overall proportion of people with a disability. Comparisons of the standardised data for people with a handicap indicate that overall there was a decrease of 0.4% in the proportion with a handicap. In the 65-74 years age group the proportion of people with a disability increased from 36% in 1981 to 49% in 1993. The proportion of people who had a handicap also increased, from 24% in 1981 to 39% in 1993. This represented an increase from 68% to 80% in the proportion of people with a disability who also had a handicap. Among people aged 75 and over, the proportions were much higher but the patterns of increase were similar. In 1981, 53% of this age group had a disability and 45% had a handicap. In 1993, 67% had a disability and 61% had a handicap. This represented an increase from 86% to 91% in the proportion of people with a disability who also had a handicap. In comparison, in 1993, 7% of young adults (aged 15-24) had a disability and 5% also had a handicap. In 1993, men in nearly all age groups were more likely to have a disability than women. However, because of the larger numbers of women surviving to older ages, the number of women aged 70 and over who had a disability was 36% larger than the number of men (491,600 compared to 361,200 ). PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION WITH DISABILITIES AND HANDICAPS
PROPORTION OF PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY, 1993 Source: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers Area of handicap In both 1988 and 1993 about three-quarters of all people with a handicap reported limitations to their mobility. These limitations varied from difficulty in using public transport, in going to places away from their home, or in moving to and from their bed or chair, according to the severity of their handicap. Difficulties with mobility were more likely to be experienced by the older age groups. In 1993, 87% of people aged 75 and over with a handicap experienced difficulty in mobility compared to 81% of those aged 65-74. In 1988 and 1993 about 40% of all people with a handicap experienced limitations to self care, that is, difficulty with activities such as eating, showering, dressing or toileting. Again limitations were more likely to be reported by the older age groups. In 1993, 59% of people aged 75 and over experienced such difficulties. PERSONS WITH A HANDICAP BY SELECTED AREAS OF HANDICAP
Source: Survey of Disabled and Aged Persons (1988); Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (1993) Living arrangements Responding to changes in government and community attitudes, recent programs have been designed to avoid premature or inappropriate admission to long-term residential care for older people or people with disabilities. Instead, basic support services have been developed to help people be independent at home and in the community. In 1993, 138,900 people aged 65 and over, 7% of the age group, lived in a health establishment of some kind. 95% of these institution residents had a disability and 87% also had a handicap, most of which were classified as profound. Of the 1.9 million people aged 65 and over living in households, 53% had a disability and 45% also had a handicap. People with a handicap living in households were less likely than those in institutions to have a profound or severe handicap; 28% were so classified. A further 22% were classified as having a moderate handicap. Overall, 96% of people aged 65-74 who had a disability lived in households, as did 80% of people aged 75 or more with a disability. Even those with a profound handicap were more likely not to live in institutions, although the proportion was reduced in the oldest age group. In 1993 about one-third of non-institutionalised people aged 65 and over with a disability lived alone, a slightly higher proportion than of those without a disability. Help with activities People with a disability living in households may nevertheless need help with one or more everyday living activities other than the primary areas of limitation. They may need help or supervision to carry out certain tasks, or might find it difficult to do the task alone. People without a disability may also have such difficulties and the need for help was increasingly reported as age increased. In 1993, 21% of people aged 65-69 without a disability needed some help with one or more activity, compared to 49% of those aged 75 and over. For people with a disability, the pattern of help needed was very similar but at a higher rate, 49% of those aged 65-69 and 78% of those aged 75 and over. People with a disability were most likely to need help with home maintenance, as were those without a disability aged 70 and over. Assistance with transport was important for both groups. HELP NEEDED BY PEOPLE LIVING IN HOUSEHOLDS, 1993
Source: Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers
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