Why Are Old-Age Disabilities Decreasing in Sweden and Denmark? Evidence on the Contribution of Cognition, Education, and Sensory Functions

• Published in: The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences Vol. 78; no. 3; pp. 483 - 495
• Main Authors: Badache, Andreea C, Mäki-Torkko, Elina, Widen, Stephen, Fors, Stefan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 04-03-2023
• Subjects: ADL limitations; Aged; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Denmark; Editor's Choice; Educational Status; Humans; IADL limitations; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Middle Aged; Nordic countries; Older adults; Sensation; Sensory function; Sweden; THE JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY: Social Sciences; Denmark; Sweden; IADL limitations; ADL limitations; Nordic countries; Older adults; Sensory function
• ISSN: 1079-5014; 1758-5368; 1758-5368
• DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac118

Abstract
Objectives
Improvements in educational attainment, cognitive and sensory functions, and a decline in the prevalence of disabilities have been observed in older adults in Sweden and Denmark. In the present study, it was investigated whether better cognition, higher educational attainment, and improved sensory function among older adults aged 60 and older in these countries have contributed to decreasing rates of old-age disabilities.
Methods
The analyses were based on repeated cross-sectional data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe for the 2004–2017 period. Descriptive data were used to benchmark the declining prevalence of disabilities, improving cognitive and sensory functions, and increased educational level. The association between time and disabilities was analyzed with logistic regression models, and the contribution of the improved cognitive function, education, and sensory function to the declining prevalence of old-age disabilities was estimated using the Karlson–Holm–Breen method for mediation analysis.
Results
The analysis suggests that the declining prevalence of old-age disabilities in Sweden and Denmark between 2004 and 2017 can largely be attributed to improved cognitive function and vision and to a lesser extent by education and hearing ability.
Discussion
These findings raise important questions about the causal mechanisms producing the associations between cognition, education, and sensory functions and disability in older age. Future studies should explore the causal nature of the associations between these mediators and old-age disabilities. In addition, they should explore whether these findings differ across regional and cultural contexts and over different time periods.