Assessment of the functional capacity and quality of life of Brazilian elderly people living in a community

Abstract

Background: The loss of functional capacity (FC) by the elderly compromises autonomy and interferes with quality of life (QL). Objective: To evaluate the FC score and the QL of elderly people living in a community and to assess the influence of age and gender on FC and QL. Methodology: Quantitative, exploratory, descriptive research of an applied nature. Sixty-seven elderly people were cared for during the consultations scheduled in a family health unit. A sociodemographic and health data form, basic activities of daily living (BADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and QL evaluation instruments were used. Results: For the BADL, there was a lower score only for continence (54; 80.6%). The majority are independent (63; 94%) for IADL, mean QL score was 16.1 ± 1.9. There was a significant correlation between the variables age and BADL and between IADL and QL. Males obtained a higher mean score (μ = 26.26) for FC, and for QL, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Age and gender were associated with FC and QL of the elderly. Keywords: aged; family health strategy; quality of life; activities of daily living Resumo Enquadramento: A perda da capacidade funcional (CF) pelo idoso compromete a autonomia e interfere na qualidade de vida (QV). Objetivo: Avaliar a pontuação da CF e a QV dos idosos residentes em comunidade e verificar a influência da idade e sexo com a CF e QV. Metodologia: Pesquisa quantitativa, exploratória, descritiva e natureza aplicada. Participaram 67 idosos, atendidos durante as consultas programadas em unidade de saúde familiar. Utilizou-se o formulário de dados sociodemográficos e de saúde, instrumentos de avaliação das atividades de vida diária físicas (AVDF), atividades de vida diária instrumentais (AVDI) e QV. Resultados: Nas AVDF houve um menor registo apenas para a continência (54; 80,6%). A maioria é independente (63; 94%) para as AVDI, a pontuação média da QV foi de 16,1 ± 1,9. Houve correlação significativa entre as variáveis idade e AVDF e entre AVDI e QV. O sexo masculino obteve maior pontuação média (µ = 26,26) para CF e na QV não há diferença significativa (p > 0,05). Conclusão: A idade e sexo estavam associados a CF e QV do idoso. Palavras-chave: idosos; estratégia saúde da família; qualidade de vida; atividades quotidianas

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