ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Ageing in rural communities poses unique challenges that can have an impact on older adults' quality of life (QoL). These limitations can be costly to the healthcare system but there is potential for them to be addressed with a better understanding of factors that affect QoL. The goal of this study was to assess the perceptions of QoL of older adults living in rural areas of southern Brazil and to identify factors associated with QoL in this population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 197 older adults (mean age 69.7±7.5 years). Instruments included the Katz and Lawton activities of daily living scales, QoL instruments and a questionnaire that addressed social, economic, demographic and health variables. Multiple regression analysis was performed, using various domains and overall QoL as dependent variables. RESULTS: Older adults who were more independent, living with a spouse, with higher income and educational levels, fewer morbidities, fewer years of tobacco use, and who did not report falls in the last year were significantly more likely to rate their QoL higher on one or more domains/measures. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with QoL of older adults in rural areas are similar to those found in studies conducted in urban areas, but the rural context may influence these variables in unique ways.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Quality of Life/psychology , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Activities of Daily Living/classification , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brazil/epidemiology , Chronic Disease/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Status Indicators , Humans , Independent Living , Interpersonal Relations , Male , Middle Aged , Morbidity , Regression Analysis , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to examine the relationships among demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, and cognitive impairment in oldest-old elders from rural areas of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was used to conduct the study. SAMPLE: 137 Brazilian elders age 80 years or over. MEASUREMENTS: A target population data form, a county data form, a demographic questionnaire, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Depressive Cognition Scale were used to collect the data. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between males and females in regard to cognitive impairment. In addition, educational level and depressive symptoms were correlated with cognitive impairment. Depressive symptoms were a weak but significant predictor of cognitive impairment after controlling for the effect of age, gender, and educational level of the oldest-old elders. CONCLUSIONS: The findings need to be interpreted cautiously since the sample scored above the cutoff points for cognitive impairment, and had low scores on depressive symptoms. Despite several limitations, findings from this study can be a foundation for further studies, and well-designed correlational or experimental approaches, are warranted.
Subject(s)
Aged, 80 and over/statistics & numerical data , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Depression/epidemiology , Rural Health/statistics & numerical data , Brazil/epidemiology , Cognition Disorders/complications , Cognition Disorders/diagnosis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/complications , Depression/diagnosis , Educational Status , Female , Geriatric Assessment , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Mental Status Schedule , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Regression Analysis , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Sex DistributionSubject(s)
Depression/epidemiology , Frail Elderly , Geriatric Assessment/methods , Patient Compliance , Population Surveillance , Quality of Life , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Brazil , Female , Housing for the Elderly , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Morbidity , PsychometricsABSTRACT
O trabalho busca chamar atençäo para o conceito de família saudável. Para tal, identifica alguns conceitos já desenvolvidos na área e sua aplicaçäo a partir de diferentes autores, fazendo uma breve análise. Finalizando, as autoras tecem algumas consideraçöes, destacando a importância de se explicitar o conceito família saudável emergente da prática e das crenças e valores das enfermeiras. Recomendam que novas investigaçöes sejam desenvolvidas dentro da perspectiva das próprias famílias.
