Abstract

RODRIGUES, Rogério Manuel Clemente et al. The oldest old: multidimensional functional assessment. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2015, vol.serIV, n.5, pp.65-74. ISSN 0874-0283.  https://doi.org/10.12707/RIV14040.

Theoretical framework: When translated into population ageing, the demographic transition process imposes an adaptation of the healthcare and social services to the needs and expectations of the elderly. The definition of interventions requires a multidimensional functional assessment. Objectives: To assess the functional capacity of individuals aged 75 years and older from the municipality of Coimbra in five areas (social resources, economic resources, mental health, physical health and activities of daily living). Methodology: Quantitative, descriptive and correlational study, with a sample of 1153 individuals. The Questionário de Avaliação Funcional Multidimensional para Idosos was used to classify the participants from excellent to totally impaired in each functional area. Results: The participants were classified with severe or total impairment in the following areas: 12.5% in social resources; 15.4% in economic resources; 16.0% in mental health; 45.6% in physical health; and 23.6% in activities of daily living. Women and individuals aged 85 years and older usually had lower scores. Conclusion: The multidimensional assessment provides data for an integrated intervention of healthcare and social services, taking into account gender and age differences.

Keywords : population ageing; geriatric assessment.

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