Able-bodied - Ages 65+

Able-bodied - Ages 65+ in Maine

Maine

Older adults who are able-bodied are more likely to engage in physical activity and maintain social connectedness than those with disabilities. Compared with able-bodied older adults, those living with disabilities are more likely to smoke and have higher rates of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. In addition, older adults with cognitive disabilities such as Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are hospitalized twice as often as older adults without cognitive impairment.

In 2021, roughly one-quarter of adults ages 65-74 and nearly half of adults ages 75 and older reported having a disability, including cognitive, visual, auditory, ambulatory, self-care and independent living difficulties.

The percentage of able-bodied older adults is lower in the South than in other regions of the United States.

Physical activity is vital to remaining able-bodied and can reduce the likelihood of developing arthritis, the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Cognitive training, including exercises aimed at enhancing problem-solving and memory, can improve cognitive functioning and prevent or delay cognitive decline. Additionally, the National Council on Aging recommends several chronic disease self-management programs to help prevent or delay disability in older adults.

Healthy People 2030 has several goals related to disability, including increasing physical activity among older adults with physical or cognitive difficulties.

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