Functional limitation on elderly people in the northeast and the feminization of eld in urban and rural areas of Brazil

Population aging in Brazil increases on a large scale due to declining fertility and mortality. This phenomenon can be influenced by several factors (demographic, biological and social), making them determinants for the health conditions of the elderly populations residing in different geographic areas. The present study aims to identify the functional limitation in elderlyresidents of urban and rural areas of Brazil. This is a descriptive epidemiological study with a quantitative approach. It was evidenced that the functional limitation for activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living are concentrated in the northeast region, mainly in the urban area. The following states presented the highest proportions of daily life activity limitation in urban areas: Alagoas (11.60%), Rio Grande do Norte (10.95%), Pernambuco (10.36%) and Paraíba (9.62%). For activities of daily living in the rural area were found in the states of Paraíba (12.19%), Maranhão (8.93%), Piauí (8.85%) and then Pernambuco (7.24%). Data from the functional limitation for instrumental activities of daily living again highlighted the Northeast region, with the states of Rio Grande do Norte (26.01%), Paraíba (25.96%), Maranhão (25.72%) and Alagoas (24.57%). Lastly, it was verified that the elderly woman exhibits greater proportions of functional limitation in relation to the elderly of the masculine sex, standing out again the northeastern region of the country.

A feminização da velhice: em foco as características socioeconômicas, pessoais e familiares das idosas e o risco social / The meminization of old age: a focus on the socioeconomic, personal and family characteristics of the elderly and the social risk

Dentro do processo de envelhecimento populacional, destaca-se a feminização da velhice, ou seja, o predomínio de mulheres na população idosa. Porém, viver mais pode não ser sinônimo de viver melhor. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o perfil socioeconômico, pessoal e familiar das idosas do "Clube da Vovó", em Viçosa/MG, além de identificar os tipos de riscos sociais enfrentados por elas associados a esse perfil. O estudo de caso foi realizado no ano de 2014. Tratou-se de um estudo qualitativo e quantitativo em que foram entrevistadas 40 idosas. Utilizou-se para a análise dos dados o SPSS e a análise de conteúdo. Destacou-se o número significativo de octogenárias e viúvas. Aspectos como a baixa renda e a baixa escolaridade foram encontrados. O estado de saúde das idosas foi majoritariamente avaliado como bom. Esses fatores, associados à percepção da velhice pelas idosas, revelaram que o envelhecimento feminino acarreta consequências que permitem inferir que elas estão em potencial risco social.

An important aspect in the aging process of the population is the feminization of old age, that is, the predominance of women in the elder population. However, living longer not necessarily means to live better. The aim of this study was to characterize the socioeconomic, personal and family profiles of the elderly women from the "Clube da Vovó" in Viçosa/MG. Besides, we intended to identify the types of social risks faced by that population that are related to this subject. The study was conducted in 2014 and was qualitative and quantitative. 40 elderly women were interviewed. The analysis of the data was carried out through the usage of the SPSS software and content analysis. The major point was the significant number of octogenarians and widows. Aspects such as low income and low education were unveiled. The health status of the elderlies was mostly rated as good. These factors, associated with the perception of old age by the women, revealed that the aging of women brings consequences that allow us to infer that they are in a potential social risk.