A recent analysis published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Societyfound that before older U.S. adults were diagnosed with poor prognosis cancers, many had preexisting conditions such as functional impairment, difficulty with mobility, falls, and poor memory.
Of 2,105 participants aged 65 years and older, approximately 65% had difficulty climbing stairs, 49% had no advance directive, 35% lived alone, 36% fell in the last 2 years, and 32% rated their memory as poor. Functional impairment and falls were highest among adults aged 85 years and older. Adults aged 65–74 years were less likely to have an advance directive. Also, women had a higher rate of pain and physical impairment.
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