Comprometimento Funcional: Impacto sobre a quantidade de vida dos idosos no município de Cajazeiras/PB.

Abstract

The impairment of functional capacity has important implications for the family, the community, the health system and the life of the elderly person. Functional disability causes greater vulnerability and dependence in old age, contributing to the decrease in well-being and quality of life of this population. The study aimed to outline the profile of the elderly with functional impairment, identify the limitations of the elderly related to the domains of Basic Activities of Daily Living (ABVD) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and verify the implications of the limitations identified in the quality of life of the elderly. This is an exploratory, descriptive study with a quantitative and qualitative approach. The population was characterized by elderly people registered in the HIPERDIA program of the Family Health Unit (USF) São Jose / Primary Health Care Program (PAPS). The inclusion method was the elderly who had up to two limitations ABVD or AIVD characterizing a functional impairment. The elderly with a clinical diagnosis of dementia, bedridden and with visual or hearing impairment and who did not use any resources to improve them were excluded from the study. Data were collected using the quantitative and qualitative approach, and were subsequently made available in the form of figures, speeches and analyzed in the light of the relevant literature. A sample of 30 elderly people, aged between 60 and 84 years, participated in the study, predominantly for the female sex 20. Regarding marital status, the vast majority were married. As for education, 21 of the participants were illiterate, family income of a minimum wage and as far as professional occupation, none worked. The most common diseases found in the elderly surveyed were: arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, stroke, heart disease, among others. With regard to ABVD, maximum dependents were identified 8 for bathing, clothing and toilets and 9 for home transfer and food. On the other hand, the IADL dependent was observed that 24 are dependent to eat their meals, 26 do not go shopping, 27 depend on transport and 28 do not use the telephone, are unable to take medicine and do not know how to handle their own money. It is concluded that the functional capacity is an important health marker in the elderly and the quality of life of the elderly surveyed was shown to be compromised in all aspects. It was observed that the number of diseases associated with old age is a determining factor in decreasing the quality of life of the elderly participants.