Abstract
The aim of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to assess the functional independence of long-living elderly at the time of hospitalization. The study was conducted in two teaching hospitals, in the period between January and June of 2011, with 116 long-living elderly. The Functional Independence Measure Scale was applied for data collection and data analyses were performed using descriptive statistics. The score of the total Functional Independence Measure varied from 48 to 126, with a mean of 105.9% (±17.9), which represents functional independence. The motor Functional Independence Measurement of 30 to 91 (77.3%; ±14.5) and the social/cognitive Functional Independence Measurement of 18 to 35 (28.6%; ±4.9). At the hospital admission, the long-living elderly appeared to be independent in all of the Functional Independence Measurement domains. Knowing the functional capacity is essential to plan care throughout the entire hospitalization process.
Highlights
The increasing number of elderly individuals over 80 years old, known as seniors and long-living elderly, present in healthcare settings, mainly in hospitalization units, demands greater attention from professionals as for the risks of declined independence prevalent in this age group. This professional guideline is outlined by the National Health Policy for the Elderly,[1] which provides the model of promotion and maintenance of the autonomy and independence of the elderly individual, focusing on functional capacity
This study allowed to assess the functional independence of long-living elderly admitted in hospital units
The increase of long-living elderly, within the most diverse areas of health care, makes the functional capacity assessment an important variable to be known by professionals at the moment of admission of these individuals into the hospital setting
Summary
The increasing number of elderly individuals over 80 years old, known as seniors and long-living elderly, present in healthcare settings, mainly in hospitalization units, demands greater attention from professionals as for the risks of declined independence prevalent in this age group This professional guideline is outlined by the National Health Policy for the Elderly,[1] which provides the model of promotion and maintenance of the autonomy and independence of the elderly individual, focusing on functional capacity. Some elderly individuals, at the moment of admission, have demonstrated independence while performing basic activities of daily living (ADL), i.e., they are functionally independent and, during hospitalization, they progress to the decline in the execution of some of these activities. These events can lead to the decline or loss of functional capacity.[3,4,5,6]
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