Investiga����o da mem��ria autobiogr��fica em idosos com dem��ncia de Alzheimer nas fases leve e moderada

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient��fico e Tecnol��gico

Estudo das propriedades psicom��tricas da escala WHOQOLold em idosos da regi��o Nordeste

The population aging process increases the number of elderly people worldwide. In Brazil, a country of continental size, this process began in the 40s and happens with specific features in each of the different region s realities. This way, this thesis aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of a elderly s quality of life (QOL) scale, the WHOQOL-old, in a population of the Northeast of Brazil. We sought to investigate the congruence between the content covered by the scale and the ones deemed as relevant by the participants. It aimed also study the validity evidences of the instrument s internal structure. To achieve the research objectives we adopted the design of multiple methods. The research was organized in two studies. For data collection, both studies used a sociodemographic questionnaire to obtain a profile of the participants and the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), used as exclusion criterion. A number of 18 elderly residents of the cities of Natal-RN and Campina Grande-PB, mean age of 73.3 years (SD = 5.9) took part od the study, They were organized into three focal groups (FG) in witch they discussed about the concept of QOL, what enhance and what hinders QOL. For Study II, a quantitative approach, 335 elderly from Campina Grande responded scale WHOQOL-old. They are between 65 and 99 years (M = 74.17, SD = 6.5). The FG data were analyzed by categorical thematic content. For the data analysis of the WHOQOL-old scale were used exploratory factor analysis and calculation of the Akaike and Bayesian information criteria. The results of both studies were triangulated. According to the discussions in the FG, health and social participation have central roles in quality of life. Social participation is related to all the other QOL s influences raised. The participants indicated the relevance of religiosity and were divided about the importance of sexual activity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) extracted a model of six factors. Two items (OLD_3 and OLD_9), not loaded on any factor and were excluded. The other items had factor loadings > 0.3. The response categories were reduced from five to three. After the scale changes, the empirical model showed better fit (-2loglikelihood = 8993.90, BIC and AIC = 9183.90 = 9546.24) than the theoretical model (-2loglikelihood = 18390.88, AIC = 18678.88 and BIC = 19228.11). Despite the best information criterion values, the RMESA remained above the ideal (0.06). We conclude that the WHOQOL-old presents psychometric parameters below the ideal when used with the Northeast population, but the improvements made the scale s use acceptable. The WHOQOL-old uses observable variables that matches with the participants' perceptions on quality of life. However, new strategies must be tested for a better sacale refinement

Efeitos de um programa de treino cognitivo e das t��cnicas de higiene do sono para as fun����es executivas e para a qualidade de sono em idosos saud��veis

The aging process causes changes in the elderly���s sleep/awake standard impairing their cognitive abilities, particularly executive functioning, which already suffers loss by aging. The literature suggests that executive function and preserved sleep quality are key to maintaining good quality of life and independence of older people, requiring interventions to minimize the impact of losses incurred by the aging process. This study evaluated the effect of a cognitive training program and sleep hygiene techniques for executive functions and sleep quality in healthy older people. The participants were 41 healthy older adults, of both sexes, who were randomly divided into four groups: control group [GC], cognitive training group [GTC], sleep hygiene group [GHS] and training group + hygiene [GTH]. The research was developed in three stages: 1st - initial assessment of cognition and sleep; 2nd - specific intervention to each group; 3rd - post-intervention revaluation. The results showed that GTC had significant improvements in cognitive tasks flexibility, planning, verbal fluency and some aspects of episodic memory, besides gains in sleep quality and decrease on daytime hypersomnolence. The GHS improved sleep quality and daytime sleepiness as well and had significant improvements in insights capacity, planning, attention and in all evaluated aspects of episodic memory. The GTH had significant gains in cognitive flexibility, problem solving, verbal fluency, attention and episodic memory. The CG showed significant worsening in excessive daytime sleepiness in capacity planning. Thus, we conclude that cognitive training interventions and sleep hygiene strategies are useful in improving cognitive performance and quality of healthy elderly sleep.

O papel do ambiente residencial na qualidade de vida de idosos: um estudo explorat��rio em Cabedelo, Para��ba

Currently, the growing aging population challenges the society and public health policies, for increased longevity need to be associated with quality of life. Adequate physical and social environment are key factors for the welfare of the elderly, particularly the housing environment - this thesis understood as the home (dwelling unit) and its surroundings (close proximity). In addition, Brazilian legislation in this sector indicates the importance of the elderly remain at home and in the family. In addition, Brazilian legislation in this sector indicates the importance of the elderly remain at home and in the family. Based on this framework mortar, the thesis was starting questions: How do you live the elderly population aged 80 and over which is served by the Health Family Strategy of the Unified Health System? That social and environmental conditions of the place of residence act more directly on their quality of life? How do these people get housing conditions experienced? The research aimed to investigate how the residential environment (social and physical) influence everyday activities and quality of life of the elderly. Exploratory qualitative study highlighting the home visits, developed based on multimethod strategy. The empirical study was conducted in the city of Cabedelo-PB, Nov/2013 to Feb/2014. Participants were 36 elderly people (31 women and 5 men) aged between 80 and 99 years, little education, who live 39 years in the area (average). In the research first stage were applied questionnaires for socio-demographics and livability of the residence and the surroundings. In the second stage we used semi-structured interview and a tour accompanied in the neighborhood (with those who have accepted to do so). Throughout work it was kept a diary by the researcher and held naturalistic observations of the behavior of the elderly. Quantitative data were described using descriptive statistics, and information from the interviews were analyzed through the Collective Subject Discourse technique. Among the key ideas that emerged from them are: the representation of home, neighborhood support and related issues dyad independence / autonomy. The study showed that the elderly develop strong attachment to the place where he lives, the importance of it for your health and the desire to stay there. Thus, despite experiencing many barriers (more physical than the social), at the place where they live, they say they are satisfied, even when unfavorable conditions are evident. Concluding that as the houses are environmentally more docile, simple changes ensure autonomy, independence and mobility for the elderly. In turn, the barriers of the urban environment show it more difficult to deal with, making this space inhospitable to most survey participants, a condition that hinders your physical activities and social participation, and negatively influence their quality of life.

Repercuss��es do tempo operat��rio em pulm��es de ratos idosos

A dura����o das opera����es pode representar um fator importante para uma s��rie de complica����es p��s-operat��rias, especialmente para os indiv��duos idosos. Objetivo: estudar a repercuss��o nos pulm��es, de opera����es de diferentes tempos de dura����o. M��todos: Vinte ratos idosos (18 meses) e 20 jovens (3 meses) foram separados aleatoriamente em grupos A e B respectivamente. Os grupos foram divididos em A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3 and B4, com cinco ratos cada. Os animais foram anestesiados com pentobarbital (20mg/Kg) intraperitoneal. No subgrupo A1 e B1 foi feita opera����o com dura����o de 30 minutos, nos grupos A2 and B2 60 minutos, em A3 and B3 a opera����o foi feita em 120 minuto e os animais A4 e B4 (controle) n��o foram operados. O procedimento consistiu de laparotomia xifopubiana que foi aberta e fechada tantas vezes quanto necess��rio para atingir os tempos estipulados. Ap��s o quinto dia p��s-operat��rio os animais foram mortos com superdose de anest��sico e bi��psias de ambos os pulm��es foram realizadas. Os achados histopatol��gicos foram transformados em escores. Resultados: os grupos de ratos jovens atingiram os escores: A1= escore 6, A2=11; A3=28; A4=5. Os ratos idosos tiveram os escores: B1=12; B2=34; B3=51 e B4=6. A an��lise estat��stica revelou diferen��as significantes entre os escores dos grupos A e B. Conclus��es: O tempo prolongado nas opera����es realizadas em ratos idosos contribuiu para o aparecimento de altera����es pulmonares de modo significante. Quanto maior o tempo operat��rio, mais intensas e mais freq��entes as complica����es pulmonares

Repercuss��es do tempo operat��rio em pulm��es de ratos idosos

A dura����o das opera����es pode representar um fator importante para uma s��rie de complica����es p��s-operat��rias, especialmente para os indiv��duos idosos. Objetivo: estudar a repercuss��o nos pulm��es, de opera����es de diferentes tempos de dura����o. M��todos: Vinte ratos idosos (18 meses) e 20 jovens (3 meses) foram separados aleatoriamente em grupos A e B respectivamente. Os grupos foram divididos em A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3 and B4, com cinco ratos cada. Os animais foram anestesiados com pentobarbital (20mg/Kg) intraperitoneal. No subgrupo A1 e B1 foi feita opera����o com dura����o de 30 minutos, nos grupos A2 and B2 60 minutos, em A3 and B3 a opera����o foi feita em 120 minuto e os animais A4 e B4 (controle) n��o foram operados. O procedimento consistiu de laparotomia xifopubiana que foi aberta e fechada tantas vezes quanto necess��rio para atingir os tempos estipulados. Ap��s o quinto dia p��s-operat��rio os animais foram mortos com superdose de anest��sico e bi��psias de ambos os pulm��es foram realizadas. Os achados histopatol��gicos foram transformados em escores. Resultados: os grupos de ratos jovens atingiram os escores: A1= escore 6, A2=11; A3=28; A4=5. Os ratos idosos tiveram os escores: B1=12; B2=34; B3=51 e B4=6. A an��lise estat��stica revelou diferen��as significantes entre os escores dos grupos A e B. Conclus��es: O tempo prolongado nas opera����es realizadas em ratos idosos contribuiu para o aparecimento de altera����es pulmonares de modo significante. Quanto maior o tempo operat��rio, mais intensas e mais freq��entes as complica����es pulmonares

Acidentes por quedas em um grupo espec��fico de idosos

Este estudo objetivou conhecer a incid��ncia do evento queda e identificar a presen��a de seus principais fatores de risco. Estudo explorat��rio, realizado de mar��o a novembro/2009, com aplica����o de um formul��rio sobre quedas em um grupo de idosos. Os dados foram analisados por c��lculo de frequ��ncias, m��dia e desvio-padr��o. Participaram 62 idosos, 41,9% relataram queda nos ��ltimos seis meses, a maioria mulheres. Identificou-se ocorr��ncia de agravos concomitantes: vis��o regular, audi����o boa, polifarm��cia, IMC normal, forte for��a de preens��o palmar e condi����es dos p��s adequadas. Na maioria dos que caiu, o desequil��brio foi apontado como principal motivo. A queda ocorreu mais no per��odo da manh��, em local de piso ��spero e seco, sem degraus, rampas ou tapetes, ilumina����o adequada e o tipo de cal��ado mais utilizado foi chinelo de borracha. Percebe-se a alta ocorr��ncia das quedas na popula����o idosa, fato que fundamenta a necessidade de avalia����o das condi����es de risco envolvidas

Integridade da pele em idosos: revis��o da literatura segundo as cartas de promo����o da sa��de

Trata-se de uma revis��o bibliogr��fica que objetivou relacionar as medidas educativas para a promo����o da integridade da pele em idosos com as Cartas de Promo����o da Sa��de. Realizou-se a busca nas bases de dados CINAHL, SCOPUS, LILACS e COCHRANE, nos portais CAPES e BVS e na biblioteca PUBMED, mediante a aplica����o dos descritores Health Education; Skin e Aged. Os resultados dos 7 artigos analisados apontaram como principais medidas educativas: inspe����o di��ria da pele, cuidados com cal��ados e com os p��s, uso regular de protetor solar e mudan��as de dec��bito. Essas medidas estavam relacionadas com as seguintes Cartas de Promo����o da Sa��de: Ottawa, Declara����o de Santaf�� de Bogot�� e Declara����o de Jacarta. Conclui-se que as medidas educativas, baseadas nas Cartas, s��o de grande relev��ncia para a cria����o de uma cultura de sa��de, com enfoque na popula����o e no indiv��duo como agentes executores imprescind��veis para o alcance da promo����o da sa��de

Influ��ncia de fatores biopsicossociais sobre a mortalidade de idosos no munic��pio de Santa Cruz/RN: um estudo prospectivo

The aging process if characterizes for a complex events network, from multidimensional nature, that encloses biological, social, psychic and functional aspects. The alteration of one or more aspects can speed up the aging process, anticipating limitations and until the death in the aged. For an adjusted confrontation of this question is necessary an interdisciplinary vision, in which the some areas of the knowledge can interact and with this to intervenes of the best possible form. Then, information derived from studies of aspects related to incidence, morbidity-mortality and transition patterns, involved in the health-illness process can more accurately identify risk groups thereby establishing links between social factors, illness, incapacity and death. Thus, this study aimed to identify, by a multidimensional vision, the risk factors of mortality in a coorth of elderly in a city in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. A prospective study carried out in Santa Cruz RN, where 310 elderly were randomly selected to form a baseline. The follow-up was 53 months. The predictive variables were divided into sociodemographic, physical health, neuropsychiatric and functional capacity. The statistical analysis carried out by bivariate analysis, survival analysis, followed by binary logistic regression and Cox regression, in the multivariate analysis, considering significant levels p < 0.05 and confidence interval (CI) of 95%. A total of 60 (19.3%) elderly died during the follow-up, where cardiovascular disease was the main cause. The survival was approximately 24.8 months. The study of general survival showed, at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months of observation, a survival rate of 97%, 54%, 31%, and 5% respectively, with a statistical difference in survival only observed for the variables of cognitive function and Basic Activities of Daily Living. In the logistic regression analysis, the risk factors identified were cognitive deficits (OR = 8.74), poor perception of health (OR = 3.89) and dependence for Basic Activities of Daily Living (OR = 3.96). In the Cox analysis, as well as dependence for Basic Activities of Daily Living (HR = 3.17), cognitive deficit (HR = 4.30) and stroke (CVA) (HR = 3.49) continued as independent risk factors for death. The risk factors found in the study can be interpreted as the primary predictors for death among elderly members of the community. Therefore, improvements in health conditions, with actions towards sustaining an autonomous life with special attention for elderly with cognitive impairment, could mean additional healthy quality of life, resulting in the reduction of premature mortality in this population

Corpo e Velhice: um estudo da qualidade de vida de idosos da Vila Vicentina J��lia Freire em Jo��o Pessoa

The aim of this study was to follow the daily routine of elderly individuals residing at the Vila Vicentina J��lia Freire (VVJF) nursing home in Jo��o Pessoa, Brazil, observing and analyzing as much as possible, the way in which they live in a group and how they deal, through personal experiences, with their own body image and with that of others. The results were obtained from information considered relevant, according to the perspectives of the residents themselves, contained in narratives of their history and related to their quality of life. Our interest lays in how they coped with changes in their bodies at old age and adapted to the challenges of this new phase. To obtain this information, with significant expressions, we used the Narrative Interview (NI) as a research tool in order to redeem their life experience and develop an understanding of their impressions about the life experience at the current nursing home. We selected, among the housed, ten subjects - actors - to appear as a sample of the group together. The design of our sample had a hybrid model, combining two types: random sample (probability) and an intentional sample (not probability). After recording transcripts and ensuring that all the subjects showed common interests that were relevant to the group, we chose three categories for analysis as follows: a. the elderly as seen by themselves and by others; b. religiosity as a moral factor; c. intimacy and relationships. Our choice was based on the importance of the theme as a multidisciplinary topic in the quality of life of populations. The subjects, chosen as spokespersons for the VVJF, spoke, among other things, about the way in which they viewed the world, their own body and how they experienced the environment and their fellow residents, in an attitude of reflection and criticism that confirms the lucidity of an old age conditioned to an elderly institution. The method allowed us to investigate our subjects from a multidisciplinary point of view. We suggest other studies in assorted areas of the human sciences, having as principle, man at the center of all our scientific questionings. The paradigm that the elder is, necessarily, unhappy in his sheltered has been, in this job, broken through the testimonies collected, establishing multiple perspectives of the analyzed subjects by their respective narrative records. Involving the participation of researchers with major in Administration, Communication and Law, this study filled, in this aspect, the requirements of the multidisciplinarity of the Program of Pos-Graduation in Health Science

Marcadores de risco cardiovasculares bioqu��micos e antropom��tricos em idosos hipertensos e aparentemente saudaveis

Idosos apresentam preval��ncia aumentada de Hipertens��o Arterial Sist��mica - HAS al��m de multiplicidade de fatores de risco cardiovasculares adicionais relacionados a maus h��bitos de vida. Este �� um estudo transversal que teve como objetivos comparar e correlacionar marcadores bioqu��micos e antropom��tricos e h��bitos de vida indicadores de risco cardiovascular em idosos hipertensos e predominantemente saud��veis, sedent��rios e praticantes de atividade f��sica. A amostra foi composta por 322 idosos, e distribu��da em 2 grupos: G1: hipertensos e G2: predominatemente saud��veis. A coleta de dados constou de anamnese e avalia����es bioqu��mica (perfil lip��dico e Prote��na C-Reativa - PCR) e antropom��trica (��ndice de Massa Corp��rea - IMC, Circunfer��ncia da Cintura - CC, Circunfer��ncia abdominal - CA e Rela����o Cintura- Quadril - RCQ). Na an��lise dos dados utilizou-se estat��stica descritiva, Teste t de Student, an��lise de vari��ncia (ANOVA One-Way) e correla����o de Pearson. Os resultados mostram que no G1: 100% eram hipertensos, sendo que 31,55% eram diab��ticos e hipertensos e 0% era exclusivamente diab��tico, no G2: 28,86% eram hipertensos, sendo que 13,40% eram diab��ticos e hipertensos, 5,15% eram exclusivamente diab��ticos e 65,99% n��o apresentam qualquer processo patol��gico ativo. Com rela����o aos h��bitos e estilo de vida, no G1: 58,22% eram sedent��rios; 2,6% fumantes e 1,7% etilistas. No G2: 5,15% eram sedent��rios; 7,21% fumantes e 8,24% etilistas. Com rela����o ao estado nutricional, verificou-se que no G1: 10,52% dos homens apresentaram Sobrepeso - SP e 14,03% Obesidade - OB, j�� entre as mulheres, 25,59% apresentaram SP e 20,23% OB. No G2: 6,06% dos homens apresentaram SP e 9,09% OB, e entre as mulheres, 15,87% apresentaram SP e 22,22% OB. Na an��lise da RCQ, apresentaram valores acima dos recomendados: 24,56% dos homens e 82,14% das mulheres do G1 e 12,12% dos homens e 74,60% das mulheres do G2. Com rela����o a CC e CA, apresentaram valores indicativos de risco, respectivamente: no G1 (52,63% e 29,82% dos homens e 91,66% e 87,5% das mulheres) e no G2 (9,09% e 9,09% dos homens, e 80,95% e 55,55% das mulheres). Com rela����o �� idade, as freq����ncias de SP e OB no G1(n=225) foram: SP (A1=11,11%, A2=8%, A3=1,77%), OB (A1=8,44%, A2=8,88%, A3=1,33%), e no G2(n=97) foram: SP (A1= 5,15%, A2= 5,15%, A3= 2,06%) e OB (A1=9,27%, A2=7,21%, A3=0%). Na compara����o entre G1 e G2 observou-se diferen��a estat��sticamente significativa entre as seguintes m��dias: IMC: [G1=27,23 e G2=23,26 x (p=0,0344)]; CA: [G1=99,09 e G2=89,51 (p<0,0001)]; CC: [G1=93,64 e G2=86,37 (p<0,0001)] e RCQ: [G1=93,64 e G2=86,37 (p<0,0001)]. Na correla����o, verificou-se associa����o considerada como fraca positiva (p<0,05) entre PCR e as vari��veis antropom��tricas e o perfil lip��dico. Os resultados apontam para maior freq����ncia e intensidade de fatores de risco cardiovasculares adicionais a hipertens��o em mulheres em rela����o aos homens, nas faixas et��rias relativamente mais jovens, A1 e A2, em rela����o a mais velha, A3, e no grupo de idosos hipertensos, G1, em rela����o ao de idosos predominantemente saud��veis, G2. Observou-se correla����o, considerada fraca positiva (r>0,30), entre PCR, perf��l lip��dico e vari��veis antropom��trica (p<0,05). Esta tese apresenta uma rela����o de interface multidisciplinar, tendo o seu conte��do uma aplica����o nos campos da Fisioterapia, Educa����o F��sica, Medicina, Nutri����o e da Bioqu��mica

N��veis de homociste��na e desempenho cognitivo em uma amostra populacional de idosos da cidade do Natal-RN

The imprecision of the frontier that separates those cognitive deficits inherent to the human physiological aging process from those which represent the early signs of nervous system degenerative pathologies ,very prevalent among the elderly, has brought attention to the need of studies aiming to establish clinical and/or laboratorial criteria to allow this differentiation. Elderly people living in poor and developing countries are frequently exposed to precarious socioeconomic conditions which facilitate the development of an array of pathologies which have metabolic and nutritional dysfunctions as the established or proposed etiological agents. The levels of certain micronutrients, such as the vitamins B12 and B9 (folic acid), and of some intermediary metabolites, such as homocysteine are being thought of as etiological factors and/or as biological markers of a group of alterations which affect the normal functioning of the nervous system with important reflexes upon cognitive performance. This study aims to investigate the influence of homocysteine, B12 vitamin and folic acid levels on the cognitive performance of the low income elderly population. This transversal study took place in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, and involved 205 dwelling elderly people, users of the Programa de Sa��de da Fam��lia, a public healthcare program, maintained by the city s health authorities. A multidimensional questionnaire was used to assess the socio-demographic aspects and the overall health and nutrition conditions. The cognitive performance was measured by the use of the Portuguese version of the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE). The serum levels of homocysteine, B12 vitamin and folic acid were determined by chemiluminescence. The association between the socio-demographic and serum levels of Hcy, B12 vitamin and folic acid was determined by multiple linear regression. Serum levels higher than 13.5 &#956;mol/l, indicative of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), were found on 25.4% of the sample, being more prevalent in men (p<0.05). Deficitary levels of folic acid (<5ng/mol) and of B12 vitamin (<193 pg/ml) were found on 3.9% and 10.2% of the sample respectively. A negative correlation was found between cognitive performance with both age and HHcy and a positive correlation was found between cognitive performance and schooling. The isolated HHcy R2 values were an explanation to only 4% of the variance of the MMSE scores. However, when associated with schooling and age, this model explains about 25% of this association

Sintomatologia depressiva e avalia����o de n��veis de TNF&#945; IL-2 em indiv��duos idosos e com doen��a pulmonar obstrutiva cr��nica

The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of depressive symptomatology among elderly residents in long-stay institutions (LSI) and in the community of Recife, Brazil. In total, 81 long-stay elderly patients (mean age of 75.55 �� 9.18 years) and 132 elderly (mean age of 73.14 �� 8.27 years) individuals from the community were evaluated. Depressive symptomatology was assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), cognitive status by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and capacity to perform the activities of daily living (ADL) by the Katz Index. Comorbities and the use of medication were recorded. The LSI elderly exhibited more depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) and more dependency (p< 0.001). We observed no differences in MMSE (p = 0.058). The elderly in the community displayed more comorbidities and the LSI elderly consumed more medication (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). According to multivariate analysis (logistic regression), being male, having no spouse and having a low schooling level are risk factors for depressive symptoms. In conclusion, most elderly with depressive symptoms received no medication fordepression.

Influ��ncia da dor na capacidade funcional de idosos institucionalizados

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pain influence regarding location, intensity and duration over functional capacity in institutionalized elderly (Fundacao Leur Brito). This is a descriptive exploratory study with a transversal design and quantitative approach. The population of the study was composed of 60 elderly, being 50% males with 60 years-old minimum age and 104 years-old maximum age, with mean age 77,6 (?}11,64) years-old. Data was collected by a structured query formulary divided in four parts: 1) Social, health and demographic characterization; 2) Pain related aspects (time and location); 3) Pain evaluation by numeric scale and 4) Functional capacity measured by Barthel Index. It was observed after evaluation by Squared-chi test (x2) statistical significant difference between pain presence and Barthel Index activities: bath (pvalue=0,015), dressing (p-value= 0,041), intimal hygiene transference (p-value=0,001), chair and bed transference (p-value=0,032), walking (p-value=0,010) and go upstairs (p-value=0,008). It was also observed statistical difference between total Barthel score (dependent/independent) and pain presence, p-value<0, 000. Through data obtained by this study, a multiprofessional approach is necessary to proper pain control and maintenance and/or regain of functional capacity, leading to an increase in life quality with more independence and autonomy to elderly

Rela����o entre ambiente familiar e capacidade funcional de idosos residentes no munic��pio de Jequi��-BA

(Objective) Assess the functional capacity and determine the difference between the means of functional capacity (basic and instrumental activities of daily living) and the age groups of elderly residents in an outlying area in the hinterland of Bahia/Northeast of Brazil. (Methods) Analytical study with cross-sectional design and a sample of 150 elderly individuals enrolled in four Health Units in the municipality of Jequi��, Bahia, Brazil. The instrument consisted of sociodemographic and health data, the Barthel Index and the Lawton scale. (Results) In all, 78.00% of the elderly were classified as dependent in the basic activities and 65.33% in the instrumental activities of daily living. Using the Kruskal- Wallis test, we found a statistically significant difference between the means of instrumental activities and the age groups (p= 0.011). (Conclusion) An elevated number of elderly were classified as dependent in terms of functional capacity and increased age is related to greater impairment in the execution of instrumental activities of daily living