Social Stratification and Trajectories of Functional Status among Older Taiwanese

• DOI: 10.6252/has.2013.0101e.02
• Publication Date: 2013-09-01
• Authors: Jersey Liang; Chia-Ning Wang; Hui‐Chuan Hsu; Xiao Xu; Hui-Sheng Lin; Yu‐Hsuan Lin
• Keywords: Odds; Social Stratification

Objectives: With a person-centered approach, this research aims to depict distinct courses of functional disability among older Taiwanese and ascertain disparities in the probabilities experiencing these trajectories. Methods: Data was derived from sample 3,975 aged 60 over, initially surveyed 1989 subsequently 1993, 1996, 1999, 2003. Group based, semi-parametric mixture models (Proc Traj) were employed identify trajectories status. Results: Four major identified: (1) excellent health (48.2%), (2) moderate increase (35.5%), (3) accelerated (10.7%), (4) persistent severe (5.6%). Older age, female gender lower education associated with greater odds for poor In addition, there some ethnic differences, which could be explained by education. Conclusion: Distinct paralleling successful, usual, pathological aging exist Taiwanese. The social stratification resembles those observed Americans.