Second, our findings indicate that
there may be a gender difference in the progression of disability. Specifically, whereas loss of
function in dressing precedes impairment in toileting among older men, the reverse
pattern is often seen among older women. The earlier incidence of disability in toileting
among women is interesting. One of many possible explanations could be the presence of
stress incontinence related to childbearing_.13.1.l However. it is important to note that for women
the median age of
onset of disability in dressing and toileting
is almost the same (91.7 and 91.0 years. respectively). suggesting that the ordering of these two
disabilities for women may be equivocal.