Abstract
This study aims at investigating the socio-demographic characteristics and health conditions of very elderly people in the Mantova province (North Italy). By March 31st 1998 a total of 117 subjects aged 98+ (including 39 centenarians) were resident in the Mantova province. 84 subjects (72% of the population aged 98+) agreed to participate in the study. The survey was carried out in the shortest time possible in order to minimize bias due to the high mortality rate among very elderly people. 77 surviving subjects were administered a protocol including an interview about socio-economic conditions, lifetime habits, as well as medical examination, evaluation of physical and cognitive function, evaluation of state of depression and performance-based tests. Data on the health status, quality of life and social network of very long-lived people in the Mantova province are discussed and compared with findings from studies on Italian centenarians. Among the very elderly people in the Mantova province a high prevalence of functional and cognitive impairment was found. However, the degree of perceived well-being was good and no symptoms of depressions were observed. Despite the poor health status of the long-lived, the burden of care falls mainly on the families, and the presence of living children is a protective factor against institutionalization.