Possibilities of Preserving Physical and Mental Fitness and Autonomy in Old Age

Abstract

This report is based mainly on results from our owen longitudinal, gerontological, and geriatric study of 70-year-olds in Göteborg (H 70) (Rinder et al. 1975; Svanborg et al. 1982a, b). The sample studied are, as far as we can judge, representative of the total population of 70-year-olds. The original sample studied in 1971/72 comprised 30% of the 70-year-old population. In 1976/77 this cohort was followed up and at the same time a new 70-year-old cohort was sampled in order to make an age cohort comparison. The first cohort was re-examined at the ages of 79, 81, and 82. The second cohort of 70-year-olds was followed up at 75. When reference is made in this paper to, for instance, manifestations of aging versus prevalence of definable disorders, as well as of a state in between with obvious risk factors for pathology, this is based on the present longitudinal perspective of 12 years in one cohort and 5 years in the other. Because of the findings of certain important differences between cohorts that are separated by a period as short as 5 years, a third 70-year-old cohort, born in 1911/12 (IVEG) has also been investigated (Table 1). The preliminary data show that there were also certain marked cohort differences between this cohort and the other two cohorts. We have therefore added an intervention study to this third cohort investigation: we have been provided with resources to improve the medical care and general living conditions in a representative group of 70-year-olds to see whether such a change at this age will influence aging and the state of health in a positive way.