Objective :to verify the association between family functionality and the household arrangements of the elderly in an urban area of Minas Gerais. Method: a quantitative, household survey type study that was analytical, cross-sectional and observational in nature was carried out with 637 elderly persons. The Mini Mental State Examination, a characterization of sociodemographic and economic data and the Family Apgar test were used. Descriptive analysis was performed by absolute and relative frequencies for the categorical variables. The Chi-squared test (p <0.05) was used to identify relationships between household arrangements and family functionality. Results: elderly women (66.6%), aged 60 to 70 years (42.1%), who were married (42.7%), and received the minimum wage (45.1%), with up to four years of education (51%) predominated. It was found that the majority of the elderly persons interviewed (87.8%) considered their family as a unit of care with good functionality. There was a significant association between poor family functionality and elderly individuals who lived alone (p = 0.007). Conclusion: it is important to understand the family dynamics of the elderly so that multidisciplinary teams can promote actions and interventions aimed at the needs of each family, helping to strengthen family relationships.

Este estudo tem o objetivo de verificar a funcionalidade familiar de idosos comunitários e os fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde associados. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, quantitativo, realizado com 637 idosos de um município do Triângulo Mineiro (MG). Foram aplicados questionário sociodemográfico, Mini Exame do Estado Mental, Escalas para avaliação da capacidade funcional e Apgar familiar. Verificou-se os fatores associados por testes de diferença de média para grupos independentes, correlação de Pearson e regressão linear múltipla (p<0,05). Predominaram idosos que consideram suas famílias com boa funcionalidade. Consolidaram-se como fatores associados à funcionalidade familiar, respectivamente: percepção de saúde, idade, quedas e depressão. A detecção de fatores que geram disfunção familiar fornece subsídios aos profissionais de saúde para o planejamento de ações no intuito de prevenir ou restabelecer o equilíbrio dos vínculos intrafamiliares, de modo a promover o bem-estar do idoso e de sua família.

Este estudo tem o objetivo de verificar a funcionalidade familiar de idosos comunitários e os fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde associados. Trata-se estudo transversal, quantitativo, realizado com 637 idosos de um município do Triângulo Mineiro (MG). Foram aplicados questionário sociodemográfico, Mini Exame do Estado Mental, Escalas para avaliação da capacidade funcional e Apgar familiar. Verificou-se os fatores associados por testes de diferença de média para grupos independentes, correlação de Pearson e regressão linear múltipla (p<0,05). Predominaram idosos que consideram suas famílias com boa funcionalidade. Consolidaram-se como fatores associados à funcionalidade familiar, respectivamente: percepção de saúde, idade, quedas e depressão. Conclusão: a detecção de fatores que geram disfunção familiar fornece subsídios aos profissionais de saúde para o planejamento de ações no intuito de prevenir ou restabelecer o equilíbrio dos vínculos intrafamiliares, de modo a promover o bem-estar do idoso e de sua família.Descritores: Idoso; Família; Relações familiares.

Introduction: Population aging may give rise to a greater burden of diseases and disabilities, leading to the greater use of health services and the need for studies of the aged population. Health care teams and specialized residency programs constitute a strategy for the monitoring of older adults’ health status. Objective: To investigate the socioeconomic profile and health status of older adults in different age groups cared for by a multiprofessional family health team. Methods: This cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted with 249 older adults registered in a Family Health Strategy (FHS) program in Uberaba, MG, Brazil. Socioeconomic and health status data were collected through home interviews using a structured questionnaire. Chi-square analysis was used for descriptive and bivariate analyses (p < 0.05). Results: Most older adults aged 60-70 years were functionally independent, married and had a mean monthly income of 1-3 times the Brazilian minimum wage. Older adults aged 70 - 79 years made use of 1 - 3 medications and had morbidities such as depression, cataract and glaucoma. There was a greater proportion of illiterates in the age group 80 years or over. Conclusion: Socioecnomic and health status were associated with age groups. Of note, there was a higher prevalence of medication use and morbidities among older adults aged 70 -79 years. The knowledge of these characteristics helps FHS team members to implement more accurate and customized strategies and interventions to deliver more effective and efficient care to older adults. Moreover, participation in a multiprofessional team provides an interdisciplinary learning and work experience for health professionals.