Functional Capacity and Self-Evaluation of Health and Life of Oldest Old in China

Yi Zeng, Duke University

This study is based on survey data from a sample of 8,805 elders aged 80-105 in 22 provinces of China. Rural oldest old are significantly more active in daily living than urban oldest old; adaptation is perhaps the major explanation of this difference. Female oldest old are seriously disadvantaged in functional capacities and self-reported health as compared with their male counterparts. Percentages of being active in daily living, having good physical performance, normal cognitive function and well-being drop dramatically from age 80-84 to 100-105. Proportion reporting satisfaction in current life, however, remains almost constant from age 80-84 to 90-94 and declines slightly afterwards. This may suggest that being more positive in self-feeling of current life is one of the secrets of longevity.