2007 Volume 58 Issue 1-4 Pages 1-10
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the active life expectancy (ALE) of residents aged 65
and older from a city of Tohoku District in Japan based on changes in their Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
over the course of three years, taking into account the ADL functional recovery rate.
Methods: According to
the method of Andrei Rogers, et al., the survey was conducted twice using a questionnaire covering questions
as to ADL independence. The life table was prepared based on the transition probability of ADL by age for
the subject populations to determine the average life expectancy and ALE.
Results: Among the independent
persons surveyed first, the average life expectancy was 18.7 and 23.5 years for 65-year-old males and females,
respectively. When the ADL functional recovery rate was taken into account, the ALE stood at 17.2 and 20.7
years for males and females at the age of 65, respectively. Assuming that the difference between the average life
expectancy and ALE represents the duration of dependence, it was calculated to be 1.5 and 2.8 years for 65-year-old males and females, respectively.
Conclusion: Comparison of the average life expectancy and ALE with other
areas already reported revealed that the inhabitants of the city studied had a long average life expectancy and
ALE, and a comparatively short duration of dependence.
