Abstract
This study was to identify various personal characteristics between those having a helper and those not having a helper for ADL and IADL performance in noninstitutionalized elders. Secondary analysis was done with the data collected in 1994 national survey of aged householders. Of the elders with ADL limitations $47.8\%$ had no helper. while $26.2\%$ of those with IADL limitations had no helper. Those elders with a helper experienced more limitations in ADL and in IADL than those with no helper. Most of the helpers were family members. whereas very few had a formal helper. Age period and subjective economic status were significantly different between the groups with a helper and with no helper for both ADL and IADL. Compared to the elders with a helper. those elders with no helper had fewer children living together. whereas they had more grandchildren. They also had more contacts with friends or neighbors. Health status. in general. was worse in those elders with a helper than those with no helper. Logistic regression analysis revealed that ADL and IADL limitations had largest influence on having an ADL helper. The odds ratios for low levels of subjective economic status were very high. As for having an IADL helper. IADL score was the most important predictor. In particular. ADL limitations had a negative effect on having an IADL helper. This finding may indicate the urgency of ADL needs. which leads to the lack of an IADL helper when both ADL and IADL limitations are present. Considering the nature of ADL. those disabled elders with low economic status need public support for their daily activities and for home visiting nursing services. There should be studies of examining the adequacy of help in satisfying basic needs for performing ADL and IADL in elders.