Danish 1905 Cohort Study, 1998

This data collection provides information on individuals born in Denmark in 1905 and who were still living in Denmark in 1998. The overall goal of the study was to establish a genetic-epidemiological database to shed light on the aging process among the extremely old. The data focus on their physical and cognitive functioning. Respondents were asked if they had been previously diagnosed with diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, asthma, migraine, cancer, stroke, heart attack, or depression, and if they were experiencing such ailments as cough, body pains, and bone fracture and were taking medication for them. Questions probed respondents' feelings about their health, life, and future. To assess respondents' general health and functioning, they were asked if they needed assistance with toileting, bathing, dressing, and mobility around the house; how often they needed to use the bathroom during the night; and if they used physical aids such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, crutches, catheters, or diapers. They were also tested for memory and cognition, mobility, vision, speech, hearing, and lung functioning. Information was also elicited on respondents' mental state and awareness, energy level, menopause, frequency of visits with children and family, visits from a nurse, use of home care services, sleeping patterns, smoking and drinking habits, weight gain or loss, exercises, social activities, hobbies, reading habits, television viewing, and recent deaths in the family. Demographic information includes age, education, and marital status.