RESUMO
PURPOSE: This observational study seeks to describe the distribution of sleepiness among elderly male veterans and to explain the relationship between sleepiness and age, function, mobility, and depression in this population. METHODS: Veterans who were age 60 or older and had two or more functional limitations based on their activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living were recruited in outpatient clinics. They were recruited as part of a longitudinal study and completed questionnaires reported here at the 18-month data collection time point. RESULTS: Veterans report higher sleepiness than normal controls. Self-reported sleepiness scores are similar to those of patients who have been diagnosed with sleep disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to identify and support aging veterans with perceived sleepiness should be developed and carefully evaluated.
Assuntos
Distúrbios do Sono por Sonolência Excessiva/diagnóstico , Distúrbios do Sono por Sonolência Excessiva/psicologia , Idoso Fragilizado/psicologia , Veteranos/psicologia , Atividades Cotidianas/classificação , Atividades Cotidianas/psicologia , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Estudos Transversais , Transtorno Depressivo/diagnóstico , Transtorno Depressivo/epidemiologia , Transtorno Depressivo/psicologia , Distúrbios do Sono por Sonolência Excessiva/epidemiologia , Feminino , Idoso Fragilizado/estatística & dados numéricos , Avaliação Geriátrica , Humanos , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Limitação da Mobilidade , Sobrepeso/diagnóstico , Sobrepeso/epidemiologia , Sobrepeso/psicologia , Polissonografia , Qualidade de Vida , Ronco/diagnóstico , Ronco/epidemiologia , Ronco/psicologia , Estatística como Assunto , Veteranos/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This research focuses on the role of informal networks in providing emotional support, instrumental aid, and assistance with chronic disease management for frail male veterans. METHODS: Telephone interviews were conducted with nursing home eligible veterans living in the community. Name-generating questions were used to illicit network members. RESULTS: Data on 198 frail male veterans indicate that they have about three people they rely on for emotional support, instrumental aid, health appraisal, and health monitoring. Networks are composed primarily of family, and adult sons are mentioned almost as often as adult daughters. DISCUSSION: Findings illustrate not only the role women play as providers of the majority of informal care to veterans but also the substantial role adult sons have in providing support to their fathers. Many veterans are at risk of institutionalization by having no one to provide instrumental support and health monitoring.
