ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIAL SUPPORT AND FRAGILITY IN ELDERLY SYNDROME

Frailty syndrome is highly prevalent in old age and may confer high risk of falls, disability, hospitalization, and mortality in the elderly. Objective: To evaluate the association of the frailty syndrome with the variable social support in elderly. Method: 197 elderly residents in South of Brazil were evaluated regards the frailty syndrome, depression, social support, cognition and life satisfaction. Results: 43.7% of the sample was classified as not fragile, 47.7% pre fragile and 8.6% fragile. The number of criteria of fragility is associated with social support and depression. However, in the elderly not fragile the social support is related with depression and cognition. In elderly pre-fragile social support is related with satisfaction and depression. Conclusion: The syndrome of frailty has not only physical characteristics associated, but is also significantly associated with emotional and Novo Hamburgo. Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. 93525075. Telf.: 555135868941. e-mail: geraldinesantos@feevale.br Diego Souza, Daiane Berlese, Gilson Cunha, Sueli Cabral, & Geraldine Alves dos Santos www.sp-ps.pt 421 social variables. The results also demonstrate the importance of analyzing the elderly in different contexts of frailty.