Active life expectancy and functional limitations among older Cambodians: results from a 2004 survey

This study's aims are to: 1) determine the prevalence of functional limitations among older adults in Cambodia using activities of daily living (ADLs); 2) compare limitation prevalence with other countries in the region; 3) estimate active life expectancy; 4) examine standard correlates of functional status and assess whether they are associated with limitation in expected ways. ADLs included here are bathing, dressing, eating, and getting up from lying down. Degree of difficulty is used to determine whether limitations are moderate or severe. Results are generally consistent with expectations. For example, women live longer than men but spend a greater proportion of life with limitations, and older age is related to higher rates of limitation and less active life. Elderly Cambodians appear more likely to report limitations than their counterparts in neighboring countries. A contribution of the analysis is the examination of a basic measure of health among a population that until recently has been isolated from the rest of the world.