CONSTRAINTS TO PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS BY THE YOUNG OLD, OLD AND OLDEST OLD

This study examined constraints to participation in the arts by three sub-populations of older Americans: the young old (60–69), the old (70–79) and the oldest old (80+). Health, poor performance quality and lack of companions were identified as constraints more frequently by the oldest old than by the younger respondents. The oldest old were five times more likely to be constrained by health than the young old and twice as likely as the old. The oldest old were over two times more likely to be constrained by performance quality and lack of companionship than the young old.