This thesis is based on two main studies, the GErontological Regional
DAtabase (GERDA) study and a qualitative interview study. The GERDA
study, which is a continuation of the Umeå 85+ study, is a cross‐sectional,
longitudinal, population‐based study performed in northern Sweden, in the
county of Västerbotten and in northern Finland, in the county of
Österbotten, during the years 2005‐2007 (Papers I‐III). The second, a
qualitative interview study, was carried out during 2008‐2009 in western
Sweden, in the region of