Impact of the disability trajectory on the mortality risk of older adults in China

Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey of 2005, 2008 and 2011, the authors compared the difference in the disability trajectory (DT) of survivor, decedent and dropped-out survey respondents and examined gender differences in DT using a group-based trajectory model, gender differences in the impact of DT on mortality risk (MR) among older adults, and mediating effects of resources and health status during late life through survival analysis. This analysis shows that the DTs of the survivors, decedents and dropped-out respondents differ remarkably. The trajectories of the decedents generally begin higher and increase more rapidly. Three types of DT exist for both genders: Type 1, the “independent type”; Type 2, the “low start, rapidly increasing in late life type”; and Type 3, the “high start, rapid development type”. Women are more likely to experience a DT of functional impairment. Men who experience the Type 3 trajectory suffer the highest MR, followed by those of the Type 1 and Type 2 trajectories. Women who experience the Type 3 trajectory suffer the highest MR, followed by those of the Type 2 and Type 1 trajectories. In addition, economic status, medical treatment, daily care by the family and chronic diseases mediate the impact of DT on MR for both genders, while the mediating effect of emotional support from children was only observed for women.