Residents in Institutions for Older Adults: Characteristics and their Relationship with the Institution / Residentes em Instituições para Idosos: Características e sua Relação com a Instituição / Residentes en Instituciones para Personas Mayores: Características y su Relación con la Institución

Abstract Population aging and the reduction in the availability of family caregivers have driven the demand for care for older adults in long-term care facilities (LTCF). This study aimed to characterize the sociodemographic, functional, cognitive and emotional aspects of residents of philanthropic LTCF in a medium-sized Brazilian city. This study also sought to correlate variables in residents' life and their levels of depression and cognitive performance. Cognitive (MMSE and ACE-R) and mood screening instruments (GDS-15) and a guided interview were applied to 78 residents. Generally, residents were White, single/widowed, independent women showing depressive symptoms (52%) and cognitive impairment (74%). Most participants reported satisfaction with the care offered by the LTCF, but this satisfaction was negatively correlated with the depression score. This profile suggests the need for an institutional arrangement that considers the needs of residents and promotes their quality of life.

Resumo O envelhecimento populacional e a redução de disponibilidade de cuidadores familiares têm impulsionado a procura pelo atendimento de pessoas idosas em instituições de longa permanência (ILPI). Este estudo buscou caracterizar aspectos sociodemográficos, funcionais, cognitivos e emocionais de residentes de ILPI filantrópicas de uma cidade brasileira de médio porte. Também buscou-se correlacionar variáveis do contexto de vida dos residentes e seus níveis de depressão e desempenho cognitivo. Foram aplicados instrumentos de rastreio cognitivo (MEEM e ACE-R) e de humor (EDG-15), além de um roteiro de entrevista em 78 residentes. Em geral, os residentes eram mulheres, brancas, solteiras/viúvas, independentes, apresentando sintomas depressivos (52%) e declínio cognitivo (74%). A maioria referiu satisfação com o atendimento ofertado pelas ILPI, mas essa satisfação se correlacionou negativamente com o escore de depressão. Esse perfil sugere a necessidade de um arranjo institucional que leve em conta as necessidades dos residentes e favoreça sua qualidade de vida.

Resumen El envejecimiento de la población y la reducción de la disponibilidad de cuidadores familiares han impulsado la búsqueda de atención para las personas mayores en instituciones de larga permanencia (ILPI). Este estudio buscó caracterizar los aspectos sociodemográficos, funcionales, cognitivos y emocionales de los residentes en ILPI filantrópicas en una ciudad brasileña de tamaño medio. También se intentó correlacionar variables del contexto de vida de los residentes con sus niveles de depresión y rendimiento cognitivo. Se aplicaron una guía de entrevista y herramientas de evaluación cognitiva (MEEM y ACE-R) y de humor (EDG-15) a 78 residentes. La mayoría de los participantes eran mujeres, blancas, solteras/viudas e independientes, con síntomas depresivos (52%) y declive cognitivo (74%). Aunque la mayoría expresó satisfacción con la atención ofrecida por las ILPI, esta satisfacción se correlacionó negativamente con el puntaje de depresión. Se sugiere la necesidad de un diseño institucional que considere las necesidades de los residentes y favorezca su calidad de vida.

Napping, functional capacity and satisfaction with life in older adults: A population-based study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To analyse the association between napping, functional capacity and satisfaction with life in older adult residing in the community. METHOD: A cross-sectional population-based study using data from a health survey conducted in a city of the state of São Paulo. Information on sociodemographic and clinical variables was collected through a questionnaire, as well as the occurrence or not of napping and satisfaction with life. Functional capacity was assessed using the Katz Index and Lawton-Brody Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using the Rao-Scott chi-square test and a hierarchical analysis using stepwise backward multiple Poisson regression. p-Values <0.05 were considered significant. In this paper, we adhere to STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology guidelines. RESULTS: There was predominance of the 60-69 years age group (51.3%) and of females (60.8%). The majority of the older adults (57.5%), of both sexes, reported napping. A higher prevalence of napping was found in the older subjects, the male sex, the subjects without children, those with health problems and those that were partially dependent in instrumental activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that naps are prevalent in older adults. The need to identify the issues that permeate napping is emphasised, in order to promote health in individuals of this age group, before classifying the practice as beneficial or harmful. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is essential that health professionals, in their practices, consider the complaints and reports of naps in the elderly, in an attempt to detect and reduce possible consequences in activities of daily living.

Older Brazilian caregivers and their lived experiences of caring-A hermeneutic phenomenological study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To understand the lived experiences of older Brazilian carers. BACKGROUND: For many caregivers, the practice of caregiving becomes their daily lives, embedding in their care and the experiences, beliefs, learning and techniques that contribute to the meanings these caregivers attach to their world. Studies have reported on the experiences of caregivers in general; however, few studies have addressed the unique characteristics of older caregivers. METHOD: Phenomenological research was conducted in the homes of these persons who were registered in a public programme of home care. This study utilised recorded interviews with a guiding question and roadmap for characterisation. The transcribed interviews were analysed based on philosophical hermeneutics and on the understanding of the hermeneutic circle. The units of meaning were discussed from the perspective of Heidegger's phenomenology. RESULTS: Six older primary caregivers participated, aged between 62-84 years. The following units of meaning were developed: the daily life of being in the world as an older person caring for another older person, the historicity and their disclosedness to the world of care. CONCLUSIONS: The worldliness of these people is influenced by a taxing routine and being overloaded and lonely, which renders these caregivers vulnerable because of this routine and because of the inherent weaknesses induced by the ageing process. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This research can help health professionals better understand the worldliness of older caregivers. Such understanding will enhance the assistance available to caregivers, which must extend beyond the care of the sick person: interventions can reduce their overburden and risk of illness, improving their experiences as caregivers and their quality of life.

Falls of older people living in the community- A critical review / Las caídas de las personas mayores que viven en la comunidad: Una revisión crítica

Falls are the most prevalent and serious accident older people suffer in their homes and also, they are the main reason for their hospital admission. In a great part of the cases falls expose at risk elderly people’s well-being and quality of life. A critical narrative literature review was undertaken to inform research in the area of falls in older people living in the community. Articles were retrieved from Medline and Scopus data bases from November 2011 to January 2013. Citation searching was also used as a complement by hand searching of relevant journals. Additionally, an alert mechanism was established in Scopus for a period of one year to identify relevant studies or literature. Reviewed studies have provided valuable evidence about falls in older people and potential prevention strategies. However, evidence from relatives, caregivers and significant others is conspicuously absent. Falls in the community and falls prevention happen in social and family contexts that must be empirically studied and reported.

Las caídas son el accidente más serio y prevalente que los mayores sufren en sus domicilios y son la principal razón de ingreso hospitalario. Las caídas ponen en riesgo el bienestar y la calidad de vida de los mayores. Se llevó a cabo una revisión narrativa crítica de la bibliografía a fin de informar estudios de investigación en el área de las caídas de los mayores que viven en la comunidad. Se recuperaron estudios de las bases de datos Medline y Scopus de Noviembre 2012 a Enero 2013. Se usó también búsqueda de citaciones que se complementó con búsqueda manual en revistas relevantes. Se estableció un sistema de alertas en Scopus a lo largo de un año para identificar estudios relevantes o bibliografía. Los estudios revisados han proporcionado una evidencia valiosa sobre las caídas de las personas mayores y las estrategias potenciales de prevención. No obstante, evidencia proveniente de sus familiares, cuidadores y otros significativos esta notablemente ausente. Las caídas en la comunidad y su prevención suceden en contextos familiares y sociales que deben ser empíricamente estudiados y registrados.

Alta hospitalar de pacientes idosos: necessidades e desafios do cuidado contínuo / Hospital discharge of elderly patients: needs and challenges of continuity of care / Alta hospitalaria de pacientes ancianos: necesidades y desafíos de la continuidad de la atención

No Brasil, o crescimento da longevidade tem aumentado a prevalência de doenças crônico-degenerativas, as quais podem ocasionar dependência funcional e exigir hospitalizações repetitivas. Especificamente, esta investigação visou conhecer e analisar a percepção de idosos sobre a alta hospitalar, definida como transição hospital-domicílio. A amostra foi constituída por 30 pacientes idosos recrutados em um hospital da rede pública. Antes da alta (internação) e após a alta (domicílio), aplicou-se o Questionário de Continuidade de Cuidado do Paciente, traduzido e adaptado. Verificaram-se correlações significativas entre as subescalas do instrumento. Os resultados reafirmaram a importância do planejamento e da coordenação da alta hospitalar para assegurar continuidade dos cuidados e propiciar atenção integral no campo da Saúde do Idoso. Recomenda-se a validação do instrumento adotado, no intuito de possibilitar estudos multicêntricos...

In Brazil the growth of longevity has increased the prevalence of chronic diseases, which can cause functional dependency and require repeated hospitalizations. Specifically, this research aimed at understanding and analyzing the perception of the elderly on hospital discharge defined as hospital-domicile transition. The sample consisted of 30 elderly patients admitted to a public hospital. Before discharge (hospital) and after (home), the Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire was applied, translated and adapted. There was a significant correlation among subscales. The results reaffirmed the importance of planning and coordinating the hospital discharge to ensure continuity of care and provide comprehensive care in the field of elderly health. It is recommended to validate the instrument adopted in order to facilitate multicenter studies...

En Brasil, el crecimiento de la longevidad se ha incrementado la prevalencia de las enfermedades crónicas, que pueden conducir a la dependencia funcional y que requieren hospitalizaciones repetidas. En concreto, esta investigación tuvo como objetivo conocer y analizar la percepción de las personas mayores en el alta hospitalaria, que se define como la transición del hospital a casa. La muestra estuvo constituida por 30 pacientes de edad ancianos ingresados en un hospital público. Antes (hospital) y después del alta (casa), se aplicó el Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire, traducido y adaptado. Hubo correlaciones significativas entre las subescalas del instrumento. Los resultados reafirmaron la importancia de planificar y coordinar el alta hospitalaria para garantizar la continuidad de los cuidados y la atención integral en el campo de la salud de los ancianos. Se recomienda validar el instrumento adoptado con el fin de facilitar los estudios multicéntricos...

Alta hospitalar de pacientes idosos: necessidades e desafios do cuidado contínuo / Hospital discharge of elderly patients: needs and challenges of continuity of care / Alta hospitalaria de pacientes ancianos: necesidades y desafíos de la continuidad de la atención

No Brasil, o crescimento da longevidade tem aumentado a prevalência de doenças crônico-degenerativas, as quais podem ocasionar dependência funcional e exigir hospitalizações repetitivas. Especificamente, esta investigação visou conhecer e analisar a percepção de idosos sobre a alta hospitalar, definida como transição hospital-domicílio. A amostra foi constituída por 30 pacientes idosos recrutados em um hospital da rede pública. Antes da alta (internação) e após a alta (domicílio), aplicou-se o Questionário de Continuidade de Cuidado do Paciente, traduzido e adaptado. Verificaram-se correlações significativas entre as subescalas do instrumento. Os resultados reafirmaram a importância do planejamento e da coordenação da alta hospitalar para assegurar continuidade dos cuidados e propiciar atenção integral no campo da Saúde do Idoso. Recomenda-se a validação do instrumento adotado, no intuito de possibilitar estudos multicêntricos.(AU)

In Brazil the growth of longevity has increased the prevalence of chronic diseases, which can cause functional dependency and require repeated hospitalizations. Specifically, this research aimed at understanding and analyzing the perception of the elderly on hospital discharge defined as hospital-domicile transition. The sample consisted of 30 elderly patients admitted to a public hospital. Before discharge (hospital) and after (home), the Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire was applied, translated and adapted. There was a significant correlation among subscales. The results reaffirmed the importance of planning and coordinating the hospital discharge to ensure continuity of care and provide comprehensive care in the field of elderly health. It is recommended to validate the instrument adopted in order to facilitate multicenter studies.(AU)

En Brasil, el crecimiento de la longevidad se ha incrementado la prevalencia de las enfermedades crónicas, que pueden conducir a la dependencia funcional y que requieren hospitalizaciones repetidas. En concreto, esta investigación tuvo como objetivo conocer y analizar la percepción de las personas mayores en el alta hospitalaria, que se define como la transición del hospital a casa. La muestra estuvo constituida por 30 pacientes de edad ancianos ingresados en un hospital público. Antes (hospital) y después del alta (casa), se aplicó el Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire, traducido y adaptado. Hubo correlaciones significativas entre las subescalas del instrumento. Los resultados reafirmaron la importancia de planificar y coordinar el alta hospitalaria para garantizar la continuidad de los cuidados y la atención integral en el campo de la salud de los ancianos. Se recomienda validar el instrumento adoptado con el fin de facilitar los estudios multicéntricos.(AU)

Atendimento ao paciente idoso / Elder care

O cuidado com o idoso, tanto hospitalizado quanto clínico, requer uma equipe interdisciplinar , ligada ao estudo das idiossincrasias do idoso. Assim como o idoso,a família deste também necessita de cuidados , orientações e mesmo apoio. A Gerontologia se desenvolve para prestar esclarecimentos a este assunto(AU)

The care with the hospitalized and clinical old one, needs a group of different professionals , all of them, focusing the study of the idiosyncrasies of an old one. As well as the older, his/her family also needs cares, directions and the same support. The Gerontology is developed to give explanations to this subject(AU)