Authors

• Hervonen, Antti (University of Tampere. Tampere School of Public Health)
• Jylhä, Marja (University of Tampere. Tampere School of Public Health)

Keywords

ageing, care of dependants, care of the elderly, elderly, health, home help, old age, physical mobility

Abstract

The survey studied longevity and the oldest-old by charting the care, activity and everyday life of people aged 90 and over living in Tampere.

The respondents were asked who they lived with, whether someone helped them at home, who helped them the most with everyday tasks, and whether a housekeeper or home helper visited them regularly. Further questions examined whether the respondents spent most of the day on their feet, sitting down or in bed, whether they did their shopping by themselves, whether they went outside regularly, whether they followed news in the paper, and whether they thought it is a good thing for a person to live to be 100 years old.

Relating to health and physical mobility, questions were asked about self-perceived health status, how well the respondents were able to move and do everyday activities (e.g. walk 400 metres, use the stairs, dress and undress, and get in and out of bed), and which illnesses diagnosed by a doctor they had. Finally, the respondents were asked whether old people were respected and whether the circumstances of old people were better or worse than before.

There was a background variable charting who had responded to the survey; the respondent him/herself, a family member, relative or acquaintance, or a home helper.