[Characteristics of the health status of people 60 years of age and older living in a large town].

Abstract

In a group of 795 subjects aged above 60 years the author assessed from the medical documentation the state of sense organs, the degree of affected locomotor capacity, helplessness and lack of self-sufficiency and some other characteristics of the health status. Disorders of the sense organs (eyesight and hearing) were significantly more frequent in subjects of advanced age than in early old age. There were no sexual differences in their incidence. The poorer health status of women is consistent with more frequently impaired locomotor activity, helplessness and lack of self-sufficiency, as compared with men. These old people (in particular women of advanced age) require assistance of another person and more frequent visits of health workers in their homes. With advancing age the number of persons using some health appliance increases. More than half the women of advanced age were thus affected. The main task as regards the care of old people is to prevent dependence, lack of self-sufficiency and a permanent stay in an institution. Therapeutic and preventive care provided to old people by the health community doctors should pursue this aim.