Evaluation of functional (in)dependency in institutionalized elderly
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abstract
Evaluation of daily life activities is considered
an appropriate and legitimate tool for evaluating the degree of
functional (in)dependency in the elderly.
To evaluate the degree of functional (in)dependence
in the elderly living in an long-term institution in the North of
Portugal.
Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a long-term
residence in the North of Portugal. The sample was constituted
by the totality of institutionalized elderly during the month of
April 2013, a total of 67. The collection of biographical data was
accomplished through the individual process of the elderly. Barthel
scale was used to evaluate the degree of (in)dependence through
direct observation of daily life activities.
Of the total of 67 seniors, 74 were female, mean age
was 83.5 years (SD ± 7.6), varying between 52 and 97 years, 92.5%
from countryside, 47.8% can read and write. The most pervalentes
chronic conditions were hypertension 58.2%, dementia 38.8% and
diabetes 31.3%. The Barthel Index revealed 43.3% of the elderly
with a degree of total dependence and 11.9% independent. The
majority showed independence in feeding 79.1%, in the transfer
from the chair to the bed 53.7% and 52.2% in ambulation. The
largest proportion of dependence observed in the bath 89.6% in the
dressing 47.8% and 50.7% arrange itself. Noted a large proportion of
elderly with bladder and bowel incontinence 50.8%.
There was a low prevalence of seniors independent
in all activities. The largest proportion of dependence occurred in
the personal hygiene. It seems to us important that professionals
sensitize seniors to the importance of self-care in health promotion
and quality of life.
