Functional capacity assessment of long-lived older adults from Amazonas

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the functional capacity of long-lived older adults from Amazonas. Method: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out with 116 older adults aged 80 years or older, registered in a primary health care unit in Belém, in the state of Pará, Brazil. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used for functional capacity assessment and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognitive screening. Univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out, in addition to the Pearson’s chi-square test. Results: The older adults presented modified independence in the self-care, sphincter control and locomotion dimensions, and needed supervision for mobility/transfers. In mobility, men presented complete independence. Modified independence was found in the 80-89 age group. It was observed that, the lower the education level, the worse the cognitive performance. Conclusion: In spite of their advanced age, long-lived older adults still present functional capacity for activities of daily living, even though they required supervision for high energy expenditure tasks, such as mobility and transfers.

Condições de saúde de mulheres e homens idosos com idade avançada: estudo longitudinal

“…O maior percentual de idosos com 75 anos ou mais de idade, em ambos os sexos, que morava acompanhado, está em consonância com estudos nacionais desenvolvidos na comunidade 3,6,24 . Estes achados trazem a reflexão de quais fatores levaram os idosos, que residiam em domicílio unipessoal, passar a compartilhar a moradia ao longo do tempo.…”

“…Um dos aspectos pode estar relacionado às possíveis limitações funcionais, mais frequentes com o avançar da idade, e a consequente necessidade de auxílio para realização das atividades cotidianas e acesso aos serviços de saúde. Assim, o apoio social, em especial dos familiares, torna-se essencial 3,6,24 .…”

Dependência funcional e fatores associados em idosos de uma macrorregião de saúde

“…As age advances, biological changes occur, such as decreased muscle strength and gait speed, sarcopenia, fatigue, and postural instability. 33 These alterations favor functional decline, which causes the elderly to be dependent to basic and instrumental activities. In this context, frequent assessment of the functional capacity of the elderly in primary care and the consequent intervention can contribute to slow the functional decline.…”

“…This syndrome causes homeostatic reserve alterations, hormonal dysregulation, oxidative stress, and the appearance of sarcopenia. 19,33 It is noteworthy that the association between functional decline and frailty syndrome is a bidirectional pathway, 54 from which emerges the need for early identification of the most vulnerable elderly and the development of interventions strategy to reduce risks of unfavorable outcomes.…”

Prevalência de doenças crônicas não transmissí­veis em idosos longevos em um municí­pio no interior do Amazonas

“…Com relação a situação conjugal, os participantes desta pesquisa eram viúvos (52,6%), corroborando com os estudos de Fernandes et al 11 e Mendonça et al 13 que também apresentaram uma maior frequência idosos viúvos.…”