Abstract:

Identification of appropriate measures for determining levels of impairment & disability among the aging has emerged as a major challenge. Pressures are increasing on state & area agencies to identify levels of impairment of activities of daily living as a trigger for eligibility for services & as a component of intrastate funding formulas. Here, the use of different descriptors from the Supplement on Aging to the 1984 National Health Interview Survey as a basis for projecting future demand/need for services is discussed. Each scenario presents a different political/decision-making challenge for the aging network & for individual planners. Planners are encouraged to provide multiple models for decision making to assist in making service delivery decisions.