Health Profile of Older People in an Elderly Residential Apartment, P. R. China

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to describe health profile of older people living in an elderly residential apartment in capital city NanNing, GuangXi Autonomous Region, P. R. China. A census population of 351 older people was used to achieve minimum data set of the health profile of older people living in an elderly residential apartment. Data were collected using questionnaires and standard assessment tools. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics using the software of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: 1) Demographic characteristics: Of 351 older people, majority of them were female (63.8%), aged 70 -79 yrs. (44.4%), and were widow (72.1%). Approximately 51.9% of older people had education at high school level; 2) Physical health: Of 351 older people, only 281 elders could answer the interviews verbally. Results showed that 39.6% of elders perceived their general health status as fair. Of 351 older people, 74.4% had history of hospitalization and 24.2% had operation. The symptoms reported were: pain (20.8%), mood change (12.3%), fatigue and weakness (10.3%), and vertigo (10.0%). The diseases found were: hypertension (54.1%), stroke (29.6%), and dementia (24.5%). Geriatric problems found were: mobility problem (34.8%), urinary incontinence (24.8%), memory loss (23.9%), fecal incontinence (23.4%), and visual problem (20.8%). Among eight health behaviors, only 5.4% of older people attended social activities, 6.6% had physical check up, and 21.7% had exercise, regularly; 3) Physical function: Of 351 older people, 36.5% were mild-ADL dependent, and 34.2% were severe-ADL dependent. The most affected IADL among 166 (47.3%) older people were: money management (16.8%), meal preparation (14.2%), laundry (13.7%), and so on; 4) Psychological function: Of 178 (50.7%) older people, 61 (17.4%) were identified as dementia. Of 171 (48.7%) older people, 15.1% had mild depression, and 4.8% had severe depression. This survey provided base line data on the health profile of institutionalized older people. There is the need to conduct cohort study of health profile of older people in order to monitor health and well-being of older people in long term care settings. *Lecturer, Faculty of Nursing, GuangXi Traditional Chinese Medical University, P.R. China **Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Thailand 2 «“√ “√«‘®—¬ i¢. (∫».) 8 (4) : μ.§. ∏.§. 2551