I'm filling in my Census form.

[baratron]

And I'm stuck on question 13 of the Individual Questionnaire. How is my health in general? Very good, Good, Fair, Bad or Very bad? I HAVE NO IDEA!

Compared to what? A typical person of my age? Or humans in general, including the very old? I'm working on the basis that "Very bad" is actively dying of cancer, but where are the limits drawn? If you have nothing life-threatening but several conditions that are life-limiting (in other words, your health stops you from doing things that you want to do, and sometimes stops you from doing things that you need to do), what does that come under?

Just for a laugh, tell me how you think I should answer this question. (Obviously, only fill in the poll if you actually know me, otherwise it's a bit pointless).
[Poll #1723015]

There is a separate question about disability: "Are your day-to-day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months?". That was easy enough - Yes, limited a lot - because not only are there lots of things I'm not able to do, there are lots of things that Richard has to do for me, or things that he wants to be able to do and can't because he's looking after me. Hmm.

Comments

[pir.livejournal.com]

I'm working on the basis that "Very bad" is actively dying of cancer,

That would be the top end of the "Very Bad" range, sure, but heath is more than just about life-threatening, though.

I'd see the difference between the questions more as "general health currently" vs. "long term ability", not "life threatening" vs. "life limiting disability". Plenty of people have really bad health levels and aren't going to die any time soon.

[hiddenpaw.livejournal.com]

I would say that since your health is bad enough to be in effect a disablility it's very bad. I wouldn't personally reserve that for people that are likely to snuff it in the near future.

That there is a seperate disability question dose not make this question invalid as firstly there are levels of health that are far from good but won't disable most people (I only rated a fair this time) and the are disabilities that could not be seen as ill health (missing limbs or important sensory organs).

I suspect that this question is a matter of oppinion question and most britons with a long term problem tend to play it down and dread being seen ascomplaining to much the well being of briton will be greatly over estimated.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

Hell, *I* had trouble with that question.

[x-mass.livejournal.com]

when doing the census you might wat to keep this in mind

http://milenapopova.eu/2011/03/the-census-part-deux.html