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How do activity limitations change with age?
Activity limitation increases with age. For the 66.5 million noninstitutionalized persons in the U.S. under age 18, where the major activity is playing or attending school, 6.1% have activity limitations: 0.6% are unable to play or attend school, 3.9% are limited in the amount or kind of play or school they can participate in, and 1.6% are limited in a nonmajor activity. In contrast, for the 20.8 million people over age 70, where the major activity is housekeeping and self-care, a total of 39.7% are limited: 8.3% are unable to keep house or do self-care, 12.3% are limited in the amount or kind of housekeeping or self-care they can do, and 19.1% are limited in a non-major activity.
Technical Note: The definition of major activity changes after age 69, to self-care and housekeeping from work, and percentage rates for age groups above 69 years drop initially, but then increase.
Activity limitation increases with age.
Graphic: Stacked column chart.
Source: LaPlante, 1996
Survey: NHIS, 1992