Medical and Long-Term Care Costs When Older Persons Become More Dependent

Relationship of Low-Circulating “Anti-Aging” Klotho Hormone with Disability in Activities of Daily Living among Older Community-Dwelling Adults

“…Disability affects nearly 7 million older adults in the United States 2 and incurs over $26 billion per year in long-term care and medical expenses. 3 Biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to the development of ADL disability. 4 Recent studies show that poor physical performance 5,6 and low physical activity 7 are important risk factors for ADL disability.…”

A randomized, controlled trial of disability prevention in frail older patients screened in primary care: the FRASI Study. Design and baseline evaluation

“…Despite declining age-specific disability rates (2), the aging of the population is expanding the prevalence of disability and increasing the burden on medical and social services (3). Beyond financial considerations, disability jeopardizes the quality of life of older individuals and their families (4,5).…”

Preface

“…In a USA citizen .65 yrs of age in 1995, the onset of disability in activities of daily living (ADL) translated into an excess annual medical cost ranging US$3,400-21,000, depending upon the time of disability onset during the year and the placement at home or in a nursing home; these costs did not take into account basic medical costs and unpaid costs of informal care [4]. However, as physicians, we often do not appreciate how nonrespiratory and multidisciplinary care is crucial to preventing disability; even the outcomes of the care and the assessment instruments should depart from the tradition.…”