Actividades de la vida diaria en pacientes geriátricos ingresados en un Servicio de Medicina General / Daily life activities in ederly patients admitted in the general medicine service

ABSTRACT

Our country is in an advanced stage of demographic transition. The health care requierements of the growing number of elderly patients are different from those provided to other age groups.The present paper describes and analyses the independence situation of elderly patients admitted in the wards of the Department of Medicine during December 2003.Data resulted from questionnaires on daily life activities answered by inpatients aged over 60 or by their direct carers. The information gathered is analysed according to sex, age, economic activity, income, and home situation. Results: From a sample of 116 patients answering the criteria for inclusion in the survey 93 per cent were studied, 53.2 per cent are female; median age is 72.5 years (normal distribution); 96.2 per cent live with relatives; 9.2 per cent are economically active; 61.5 per cent have incomes below $70.000 (Chilean pesos). The questionnaire was answered directly by 72.5 per cent of patients.Independence: Barthel: 15.6 per cent; Katz: 27.5 per cent.Conclusion: Sample at high social risk, with low levels of independence.Adults admitted in the Department of Medicine are a group at high social risk, with low levels of independence.