Health Problems of Institutionalized Elderly

Introduction: human aging is marked by a decrease in the performance of some daily tasks, some even considered banal and imperceptibly when this limitation is followed by chronic diseases, the elderly becomes a source of concern for the family. Objective: identifying the health problems of the elderly living in long-stay institutions from self-reported diseases. This is a descriptive and quantitative study, conducted in northeastern Brazil capital, involving 138 elderly. For data collection we used a questionnaire containing demographic variables, institutional and related to self-reported health problems. Data were evaluated using bivariate analysis and association chi-square. Results: predominance of women was found (61.6%), aged 60-69 years old (39.1%), coming from the state capital (51.4%), and institutional permanence time between 1-5 years (77.5%). The most frequent diseases were related to the cardiovascular system (15.9%) and endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (9.4%). It showed a significant association between self-reported diseases and the age of the elderly (p=0.047). Conclusion: it is expected to raise awareness among health professionals to provide a better assistance to the institutionalized elderly focusing on the real needs of these persons.

Efeito de dois programas de reabilitação psicomotora (atividade contínua versus atividade intervalada) na capacidade neuromotora de idosos institucionalizados

Objetivo: Investigar o efeito de dois programas de reabilitação psicomotora (atividade contínua versus atividade intervalada) na capacidade neuromotora de idosos institucionalizados. Metodologia: A amostra integrou 17 participantes (85,81±6,26 anos) que, numa fase inicial, mantiveram as atividades durante 6 semanas (período de controlo) e, posteriormente, 9 integraram um programa com intervenção intervalada (GI) e 8 um programa com intervenção contínua (GC). Ambos os programas tiveram a duração de 12 semanas, com uma periodicidade de 2 sessões por semana e duração de 60 minutos. Foram avaliadas as variáveis atenção (Trail Making Test), capacidade de planeamento (Torre de Londres), o desempenho em situação de dupla tarefa (Timed Up and Go modificado) e equilíbrio (Timed Up and Go e Índice de Tinetti). Resultados: O GI evidenciou melhorias significativas nas variáveis da atenção, da capacidade de planeamento, dupla tarefa e equilíbrio (p<0,05), enquanto que o GC apenas o evidenciou na variável capacidade de planeamento (p<0,05). Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que o programa de reabilitação psicomotora com atividade intervalada será mais benéfico para os idosos institucionalizados que programa com atividade contínua, particularmente na atenção, no desempenho em situação de dupla tarefa e no equilíbrio; ABSTRACT: Objective: To research the effect of two psychomotor rehabilitation programs (continuous activity against intervealed activity) in the neuromotor ability of institutionalized elderly people. Metodology: The sample had 17 participants (85.81 ± 6.26 years), that in an initial phase retained activity for 6 weeks (control period) and then, 9 integrated a program with intervealed intervention (GI) and 8 a program with continuous intervention (GC). ). Both of the programs had 12 weeks, 2 sessions per week and 60 minutes per session. Was evaluated the variables attention (Trail Making Test); planning capacity (London Tower); dual task capacity (modified Timed Up and Go) and balance (Timed Up and Go and Tinetti Index). Results: The GI showed significant improvements in the variables attention, performance in dual task ability and balance (p<0,05), while GC revealed significant improvements in planning capacity (p<0,05). Conclusion: The results suggest that the psychomotor rehabilitation program with intervealed activity will be more beneficial for the institutionalized elderly than the program with continuous activity, particularly in the attention, planning capacity, performance in dual task ability and balance.

Efeitos de um programa de exercício multimodal em pessoas idosas institucionalizadas

Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos de um programa de exercício multimodal sobre o funcionamento cognitivo e aptidão física funcional em pessoas idosas institucionalizadas. Método: Os participantes foram selecionados por conveniência entre os utentes de duas instituições de apoio a pessoas idosas. O grupo inicial foi constituído por um total de 21 pessoas de ambos os sexos (77-92 anos). Inicialmente, foi garantido um “período de controlo” de 4 semanas, em que os participantes mantiveram as suas atividades de vida quotidianas normais. Posteriormente, todos os idosos integraram um programa de exercício multimodal durante 8 semanas. Para estudar os efeitos da intervenção foram recolhidos dados em 3 momentos distintos: previamente ao período de controlo, após o período de controlo e no final do programa de intervenção. Foram efetuados testes físicos/motores, cognitivos e de dupla-tarefa (motor-cognitivo). Durante as sessões de exercício, alternaram-se períodos constituídos por tarefas motoras com períodos em que as tarefas motoras implicavam uma mobilização simultânea de recursos cognitivos. Resultados: A análise estatística dos dados recolhidos nos três momentos de avaliação, revelou efeitos positivos da intervenção ao nível da atenção, tempo de reação, força muscular, agilidade e capacidade cardiorrespiratória. Nos testes realizados em dupla-tarefa, foram encontradas melhorias no teste timed up and go, mas não se verificaram melhorias no teste de tempo de reação. A análise estatística dos dados recolhidos nos três momentos de avaliação, revelou efeitos positivos (p<0.05). da intervenção ao nível da atenção, tempo de reação, força muscular, agilidade e capacidade cardiorrespiratória. Nos testes realizados em dupla-tarefa, foram encontradas melhorias no teste timed up and go (p<0.05), mas não se verificaram melhorias no teste de tempo de reação. Conclusões: Um programa de exercícios multimodal induz melhorias no funcionamento cognitivo e motor de pessoas idosas institucionalizadas. É aconselhada a divulgação deste tipo de intervenção para pessoas idosas institucionalizadas; Effects of a Multimodal Exercise Program for Elderly Institutionalized Abstract: Objective: To investigate wthe effects of a multimodal exercise program on cognitive functioning and physical fitness of institutionalized elderly. Method: Participants were selected by convenience among two nursing home residents. Twenty-one people (77-92 years old) of both genders participated. During the first 4 weeks (control period), participants were not engaged in the exercise program and continue with their normal daily life activities. After the control period, the group was engaged in a multimodal exercise program for 8 weeks (2 times per week). To study the effects of a multimodal exercise program, data were collected at three different times: prior to the control period, after the control period, and at the end of the intervention. Several motor tests (physical fitness), cognitive tests and dual-tasks (motor-cognitive) were performed. The exercise sessions alternated between periods of motor taks and periods with motor plus cognitive tasks performed simultaneously. Results: The analysis of the data collected in the three moments of evaluation, show positive effects of the exercise program in cognitive dimensions (information processing speed and attention) and functional physical fitness components (muscle resistance, cardiorespiratory fitness and dynamic balance). In tests carried out in dual-task conditions, the exercise program promoted improvements in the timed up and go test (with mental calculations). Statistical analysis of the data collected at the three evaluation moments revealed positive effects (p <0.05). Of attention intervention, reaction time, muscle strength, agility and cardiorespiratory capacity. In the double-task tests, improvements were found in the timed up and go test (p <0.05), but there were no improvements in the reaction time test. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that a multimodal exercise program can improve cognitive functioning and physical fitness in institutionalized older people. Thus, this type of intervention should be promoted among nursing home residents.

Social Representations of Violence against the Elderly

The repercussions of violence on the mental, social, and physical well-being of the elderly are some of the most challenging problems in public health today. Using a qualitative design, we conducted a study in Portugal and the United States that applied both descriptive and comparative methods in order to understand the social representations of violence against the elderly. Utilizing the Theory of Social Representations, we explored the perspectives of the elderly, their families, and healthcare professionals on the subject of violence against the elderly. The data on which the findings were based were obtained in two very different cultural contexts, yet the representations of violence against the elderly revealed no significant cross-cultural differences. However, conceptualizations regarding expectations of care and protection for the elderly proved to be distinct. We discussed concerns about the general attitudes of tolerance toward violence, including those of the elderly who self-identified as eventual victims. Violence against the elderly was portrayed as a part of old age and also somehow was justified by it. The results also indicated the need to better prepare healthcare professionals and society in general to deal with the consequences of the problem and not, as we would like to report, to prevent it from happening.

Does an In-Season Detraining Period Affect the Shoulder Rotator Cuff Strength and Balance of Young Swimmers?

Aims: To compare the physical activity, sedentary activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in institutionalized vs. non-institutionalized elderly, and to establish a pattern of relationship and prediction of physical and sedentary activity with physical and mental components of HRQoL. Methods: The sample consisted of 383 elderly with ≥ 75 years old (n=187 institutionalized and n=196 non-institutionalized). Were administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) for evaluated the physical and sedentary activity and HRQoL. Also was used the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) as exclusion criteria for cognitive problems in the elderly. Results: Differences between institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly were found in moderate-intensity activities and walking, a favour of non-institutionalized. The institutionalized elderly remain more minutes in sedentary activity. Also, were observed differences between both groups in physical component of HRQoL, a favour of non-institutionalized elderly. The mental component remained unchanged. The multivariate regression analyses showed that physical activity predicted the physical (8 to 12%) and mental (5 to 8%) components of HRQoL for institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. Conclusions: Non-institutionalized elderly were more physically active, spent less time in sedentary activity and showed better perception physical component of HRQoL that institutionalized elderly. An important and encouraging result of this study was that physical activity is a predictor of improved physical and mental component of HRQoL for institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly.