Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021
Characteristic
Is fully able
Has successfully accommodated
Has difficulty
Receives Assistance
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The source adds the following: "Self-care and mobility limitations summarizes the ability to perform in the last month the following seven activities – going outside, getting around inside, getting in/out of bed, eating, bathing, toileting, and dressing. Individuals are classified into one of four hierarchical categories: 1) fully able to do all activities (no assistance, difficulty, or device use for any activity); 2) successfully accommodates one or more activities with assistive devices (but no assistance or difficulty); 3) has difficulty when carried out independently (but with devices, if used) with one or more activities (but no assistance); and 4) receives assistance or doesn’t do one or more activities. Individuals missing information on one or more of the activities were assigned the highest value among the non-missing activities."
Citation formats
Share of older U.S. adults with self-care and mobility limitations 2011-2021
According to a national survey, the percentage of older adults aged 72 years and older that reported they were fully able to carry out self-care and mobility activities (such as dressing or going outside) decreased in the recorded time period. As of 2021, only roughly *** in five older adults was fully able to perform self-care and mobility activities, down from nearly ** percent in 2011. This means the other four in five adults needed some kind of assistance, assistive devices, or doesn't do one or more activities.
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Institute for Social Research (MiCDA). (July 1, 2023). Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 01, 2026, from /statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
Institute for Social Research (MiCDA). "Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021." Chart. July 1, 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 01, 2026. /statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
Institute for Social Research (MiCDA). (2023). Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 01, 2026. /statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
Institute for Social Research (MiCDA). "Percentage of Older Adults Who Reported Being Fully Able or Having Difficulty Carrying out Self-care and Mobility Activities in The U.S. from 2011 to 2021." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 1 Jul 2023, /statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
Institute for Social Research (MiCDA), Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/ (last visited August 01, 2026)
Percentage of older adults who reported being fully able or having difficulty carrying out self-care and mobility activities in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021 [Graph], Institute for Social Research (MiCDA), July 1, 2023. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1227195/share-of-us-older-adults-with-self-care-and-mobility-limitations/
