Health Status and Social Conditions of the Elderly in Remote Districts: Results of a Screening Programme

Abstract

In 1978 a cohort of 1040 individuals aged 65 years or over was screened by public health nurses in Kuusamo. The screening produced basic data about health status and social conditions for an intervention of active medical care of the elderly by means of a mobile unit in rural districts. The response rate of the screening was 90%. 72% of the men and 35% of the women lived with their spouse; 6% of the men and 20% of the women lived alone. Poor health was assessed least commonly (36%) by those living alone, and most commonly by women living with their spouse (51%), even though 87% of them were under 75 years old. A visit to a physician during the past 12 months was more common among younger subjects. 15% of the men and 18% of the women had slightly restricted mobility. Men living alone had better mobility than women living alone.