# Factors associated with self-reports of limitations in activities of daily living among Medicare Fee-for-Service recipients

## TL;DR

This study identifies factors linked to physical limitations in older Medicare recipients, such as age, health conditions, and income.

## Contribution

The study provides nationally representative data on factors associated with physical function limitations in older Medicare Fee-for-Service recipients.

## Key findings

- Smoking, chronic health conditions, and being 85 or older are significantly associated with physical limitations.
- Low income and needing survey assistance are linked to greater activity limitations.
- Findings highlight vulnerable subgroups for targeted interventions.

## Abstract

Physical function is an important indicator of physical health and predicts mortality. This study identified characteristics associated with limitations in Medicare recipients' activities of daily living.

2019 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Fee-for-Service Medicare Survey data: 79,725 respondents (34% response rate) who were 65 and older and 53% female; 7% Black, 5% Hispanic, 4% Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islander, 2% Multiracial, 1% American Indian/Alaskan Native; 35% with high school education or less. Walking, getting in and out of chairs, bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating (scored as having no difficulty versus being able to do with difficulty or unable to do) and a scale of these items were regressed on patient characteristics.

After adjustment for all characteristics, function limitations were found for those who smoked (effect sizes of significant associations range .04-.13), had chronic health conditions (.02-.33), were 85 years or older (.09-.46), needed assistance completing the survey (.32–1.29), were female (.05-.07), and had low income and assets (.15-.47).

These nationally representative U.S. estimates of physical function characteristics are useful for interventions for vulnerable population subgroups.