The Availability of Care for Late-Middle-Aged Adults With Chronic ...

Figure 1.1. World Health Organization ICF classification.

Source. WHO (2001).

This model was ideal for the study of the middle-aged population because it did not equate functional limitation with dependence. Figure 1.1 displays graphically the interactive nature of the classification system.

Casemix

We used the term casemix to denote a group of indicators that describe the respondents’ overall health and functional status. Casemix was inclusive of the number of ADL and IADL difficulties, general health rating, number of nights spent in a hospital over the previous 2 years, number of days spent at home in bed over the previous month, cognitive impairment, pain, number of medical conditions, psychological disorder, exhaustion, use of a wheelchair, and body mass index (BMI).

Noticeably missing from this group was the presence of specific medical conditions, aside from psychological disorders.