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How many elderly persons have disabilities?

Elderly persons are particularly affected by activity limitations. In contrast to people between 18 and 45, where fewer than 8.6% report activity limitations, 38.8% of people age 65 and older report being limited in their activity. Similarly, those aged 65 and older report higher rates of disability in the SIPP (53.9%) than people between 18 and 45 (13.6%).

Over half of those over age 65 have a disability and almost 40% report having an activity limitation.

Graphic: Multiple pie charts./

Source: McNeil, 1993, LaPlante, 1995

Survey: SIPP, 1992; NHIS, 1992