Marti Parker, PI

The Swedish Centenarian Survey (SCS) is based on a nationally representative sample of people born in 1911 and 1912 and interviewed in 2011 and 2012. Interview questions covered living conditions, health, and care utilization.

The response rate was 86 % (n= 274). About 60 % of the centenarians could be interviewed directly, with or without support of a family member. When it was not possible to interview someone directly, questions were posed to a family member.

Results confirm the wide diversity found in this, the fastest growing age group in the Swedish population. Many centenarians are still active and alert, although most need some kind of help with cleaning or shopping. About half the sample lived in nursing homes or other sheltered housing.

SCS is a part of the 5-Country Oldest Old Project (5-COOP) initiated by Jean-Marie Robine and financed by AXA. Similar interviews were also conducted with centenarians in Denmark, France, Switzerland and Japan. Comparisons between the countries will lead to understanding of the differences in mortality selection to high age.

The first results from the survey have been published in the Swedish medical journal:

Parker et al (2014) Svenska 100-åringar behöver mycket vård och omsorg, Swedish centenarian survey – om hälsa och levnadsvillkor bland 100-åringarna. Läkartidningen (29-31):111.