Morbilidade em Idosos Dependentes ao Cuidado das Equipas Domiciliárias da Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados na Região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo: Estudo Transversal Observacional

Abstract

In Portugal, the National Network of Continuing Integrated Care's mission is to take care of new health and social needs. The aim of the study was to know the disease burden and disability of the elderly (75 and over) cared by the integrated continuing care teams. Material and Methods:A cross-sectional study carried out in a sample of 230 participants, from 25 teams randomly selected in the region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley. Data were collected at the patient's home trough caregiver's interviewing. The variables studied were: socio-demographic; disability determinants; degree (Barthel's scale) and duration of disability; morbidity (diagnoses, number and Charlson index). Results:The study population had: on average 84 years; low or no scholar degree level (88.7%); on average 9.5 problems per person and a Charlson index of 8.48; disability over 42 months (severe in 65.2%). The most frequent disability-determinants were: dementia, stroke and femur fracture. The most frequent diagnoses were: osteoarthritis, hypertension and dementia. Discussion: The results revealed a high disease burden (Charlson of 8.48) and disability. Although the diagnoses were those expected and comparable with the literature, their coexistence was universal, averaging 9.5 per person, affecting different organs/systems. Multimorbidity, coupled with severe disability, leads to clinical and organizational-care challenges, as well as the need for other population base studies. Conclusion:The population cared by the integrated continuing care teams is at risk: elderly, with low scholar degree level, with a high disease-burden and disability.

Profile of caregivers of dependent elderly in a pandemic context: impacts on the health and work of caregivers in portugal / Perfil de cuidadores de idosos dependentes em contexto de pandemia: impactos na saúde e no trabalho de quem cuida em Portugal

“…11 Among the informal caregivers, in turn, 73.2% claimed to provide care to a family member or relative, a fact also aligned with other studies. [16][17] The age range of most formal caregivers is younger (below 45 years) when compared to the informal caregivers, which is coherent with similar studies. 12,18 There was a majority participation of Portuguese respondents for both formal and informal caregivers.…”

Um ensaio: enfermeira e cuidadora informal, a intersubjetividade do cuidar Um ensaio: enfermeira e cuidadora informal, a intersubjetividade do cuidar

“…O cuidado informal encerra uma atividade inerente ao meu dia-a-dia, de instalação subreptícia, sem um dia e hora definidos, compelida por sentimentos de dever/obrigação moral e espírito de dádiva, sentimentos de gratidão/retribuição e pela proximidade afetiva existente (Broeiro-Gonçalves, 2017;Brown, 2010;Minayo & Coimbra, 2002;Sequeira, 2010). Não obstante, a assunção deste cuidado deve-se também à minha formação profissional como enfermeira, e, talvez por isso, os restantes elementos da família mais alargada desde sempre me imputaram a responsabilidade deste cuidar.…”