Evaluation of elderly persons' functionality and care needs

• Author(s): Lopes, M. J. ; Escoval, A. ; Pereira, D. G. ; Pereira, C. S. ; Carvalho, C. ; Fonseca, C.
• Date: 2013
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10174/8379
• Origin: Repositório Científico da Universidade de Évora
• Subject(s): Aging; International Classification of Functioning; Disability and Health; Needs Assessment
• Document Type: Article
• Language: Portuguese

Description

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the elderly persons' functionality, based on the International Classification of Functionality. METHODS: a cross-sectional, descriptive study; a stratified random sample of 903 elderly persons; a confidence level of 95%; and a margin of error of 2.5%. Questionnaire based on the International Classification of Functionality; data was collected based on structured interviews undertaken by health professionals in the health centers in the Alentejo region of Portugal. RESULTS: 30.7% of the elderly persons stated that they were illiterate, and 22.9% lived alone. Feeding/dietary (18.7%), housing (19.2%) and health needs (26.0%) were not met. Orientation functions were maintained in 83.4%; 58% of the elderly persons referred to pain so intense that it required care; 73.3% of the elderly persons did not have functional dentition. Levels of performance were superior to 80% in the participation activities: washing oneself (82.6%), toileting (92.2%), dressing, eating, and drinking (89%). CONCLUSION: although a progressive decline in functionality is observed as age advances, the majority of dimensions are preserved until around 75 years of age.