Disorderly Households,Self-Presentation,and Mortality: Evidence From a National Study of Older Adults

Abstract

This article examines whether disorderly household conditions and bodily self-presentation predict mortality, above and beyond four sets of variables conceptually linked to both death and disorder. Data come from 2005/2006 and 2010/2011 waves of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. We used naturalistic observation of respondents’ homes and bodies, along with a diverse range of additional covariates, to predict probability of death. Older adults living in disorderly households were at highest risk of death over 5 years, primarily because they confronted high levels of frailty. Disorderly bodily self-presentation was also related to mortality risk, but this association could be only partially explained by demographic factors, health conditions, frailty, and low social connectedness. Findings suggest that disorder in the residential context—dress and hygiene in particular—is a strong predictor of mortality. Support providers should be mindful of changes in bodily presentation among community-dwelling older adults.