Final answer:
Many older adults over age 65 have chronic conditions that could impair their ability to perform daily activities, yet many remain self-sufficient. The need for assistance varies greatly among individuals, and it's not correct to assert that the majority need help with daily living. Financial, health, and cultural factors play significant roles in the level of independence or assistance required by older adults.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding whether the majority of people over age 65 need assistance with activities of daily living is complex and not explicitly answered with just true or false. However, several indicators suggest that while many older adults remain self-sufficient, there is a significant portion that requires support due to health issues and functional impairments.
Understanding this requires looking at various factors such as chronic conditions, the ability to perform activities of daily living, the increase in functional impairments, and the reliance on family caregivers or professional healthcare.
According to statistics, from 2006 to 2008, about 50 percent of those over 65 reported arthritis, 38 percent hypertension, 32 percent heart disease, and 22 percent cancer, indicating that a considerable percentage of older adults could be experiencing health issues that might affect their ability to perform daily activities independently.
Moreover, 27 percent of people aged 60 and older are considered obese, which can also impact their functionality. Financial constraints and cultural factors can complicate access to needed healthcare services, as many families may not be able to afford professional care, creating gaps in support for the elderly. Caregivers are often also employed outside the home, making it difficult for them to provide care.
In light of the mentioned concerns and data, it is reasonable to conclude that a substantial portion of individuals over 65 may need assistance, but it is not necessarily the majority. It is critical to note that the presence of a chronic condition or disability does not always translate into a need for daily living assistance.
In fact, 96% of people with a chronic condition do not have a condition that is visible, and many do not use assistive devices such as walkers or wheelchairs.