From: Capability and dependency in the Newcastle 85+ cohort study. Projections of future care needs
 | No difficulty doing alone | Some difficulty doing alone | Can only do with an aid | Unable to do alone, need help |  | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Men % (N = 319) | Women % (N = 522) | Men % (N = 319) | Women % (N = 522) | Men % (N = 319) | Women % (N = 522) | Men % (N = 319) | Women % (N = 522) | P value* |
Feeding self including cutting up food | 96.9 | 92.5 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 4.2 | 0.009 |
Washing face and hands | 95.6 | 92.7 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 4.4 | 0.09 |
Getting in and out of bed | 88.1 | 81.8 | 6.0 | 8.4 | 1.9 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 6.1 | 0.015 |
Getting on and off toilet | 85.6 | 79.3 | 4.4 | 5.9 | 5.6 | 8.8 | 4.4 | 5.9 | 0.023 |
Taking medication | 85.6 | 79.9 | 2.8 | 4.4 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 11.3 | 14.4 | 0.044 |
Dressing and undressing | 84.3 | 81.0 | 8.2 | 8.6 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 0.21 |
Light housework | 83.1 | 78.2 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 12.2 | 14.8 | 0.1 |
Getting around the house | 82.4 | 74.3 | 6.3 | 5.7 | 7.8 | 14.4 | 3.4 | 5.6 | 0.004 |
Preparing and cooking a hot meal | 81.8 | 74.7 | 5.0 | 5.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 12.9 | 19.2 | 0.014 |
Managing money | 80.3 | 72.8 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 13.8 | 20.7 | 0.011 |
Getting in and out of a chair | 79.6 | 77.8 | 15.4 | 14.6 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 0.45 |
Washing all over | 74.6 | 61.1 | 8.8 | 9.6 | 5.0 | 10.5 | 11.6 | 18.8 | <0.0001 |
Heavy housework | 69.9 | 43.3 | 10.7 | 14.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 19.1 | 42.0 | <0.0001 |
Shopping for groceries | 61.8 | 36.8 | 9.1 | 11.9 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 26.3 | 50.4 | <0.0001 |
Going up and down stairs/steps | 61.1 | 45.6 | 21.0 | 25.5 | 6.0 | 8.2 | 11.9 | 20.7 | <0.0001 |
Walking at least 400 yards | 60.5 | 46.9 | 13.2 | 11.3 | 15.0 | 18.0 | 11.3 | 23.8 | <0.0001 |
Cutting own toenails | 41.1 | 30.7 | 23.8 | 15.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 34.8 | 53.8 | <0.0001 |