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P3‐361: Familiar functionality in cognitively impaired elderly in a long‐term care institution
Author(s) -
Pavarini Sofia,
Oliveira Simone,
Barham Elizabeth,
Manzine Patricia,
Viana Aline,
Luchesi Bruna,
Cominetti Márcia,
Santos Ariene,
Pereira Tábatta,
Pedrazzani Elisete,
Inouye Keika
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.05.1803
Subject(s) - institutionalisation , context (archaeology) , dementia , psychology , gerontology , cognition , population , medicine , psychiatry , disease , paleontology , environmental health , pathology , biology
Background:The care for the Brazilian elderly is traditionally concentrated in the familiar context, and less than 2% live in long-term care institutions (LTCIs). However, in reaction to a marked increase in dementia prevalence in the Brazilian elderly population, relatives have started seeking for help sources outside the familiar context. The present study aimed to assess the familiar functionality in a sample of elderly with cognitive impairments in a medium-sized town in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Methods: One hundred and sixteen elderly were evaluated using theMiniMental State Examination (MMSE) as a screening procedure to identify cognitive conditions. From this initial sample, 48% (n 1⁄4 56) reached the criteria for cognitive impairment. This group (36 women and 20 men) ranged from 65 and 95 years, and the average period of institutionalization was 4 years for the men and 6 for the women. They were assessed using the Brazilian adaptation of the Smilkstein’s Family Apgar (Duarte, 2001). This instrument assesses five basic components of familiar functionality: adaptation, companionship, development, affectivity, and problem-solving skills. Results: The results showed that 64.2% of the participants had high familiar dysfunction, 14.3% had an average familiar functionality, and the remaining 21.4% showed good familiar functionality. These findings can be contrasted to results of studies showing good family functionality amongst cognitively impaired elderly living in familiar contexts (Santos & Pavarini, 2010). Conclusions: The presence of elderly with high familiar dysfunction is worrying and possibly indicates a need to develop strategies to foster family ties of cognitively impaired elderly in the LTCIs.