ABSTRACT
Mortality and morbidity from most chronic conditions, as well as disability which often results from these conditions, rises sharply with increasing age. With population ageing, therefore, the prevalence of disability also rises. An important aspect of older people’s well-being, which is closely related, but not synonymous, to disability, is functional status (usually conceptualized as the ability to perform self-care, self-maintenance and physical activities). Disability, a broad concept with many dimensions, can be caused by genetic disorders, accidents, injuries or may arise as a result of a stroke or a disease (Johnston 1996). Disability is commonly defined as inability to perform normal activities of daily living (Verbrugge and Jette 1994); impaired physical and cognitive functions therefore make a major contribution to disability. Beyond its medical aspect, disability involves problems such as physical and mental conditions, access to health services, stigmatization, discrimination and social exclusion (Harris and Enfield 2003). In this respect, functional status also reflects the interaction between the affected individual and their environment.
