Physical functional capability and human needs of the older adult

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in the elderly population and sociocultural changes that it presents have increased the incidence of chronic and degenerative diseases. These changes have led to reassess the hospital care to ensure that these patients adapt to their social environment and disease stage does not impair its functional and intellectual capacity, and their basic human needs are covered, both when admission and at hospital discharge.

Objective: To identify the relationship between the functional capability in activities of daily living and human needs of seniors who leave from the internal medicine and surgery services in a public hospital.

Methodology: A study of cross-section with quantitative approach was conducted. Barthel Scale, the instrument for the evaluation of Virginia Henderson and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire of Pfeiffer were used to collect the data.

Results: 185 questionnaires were applied to seniors with a mean age 72 years. Found significant differences between age and dependence, as older existed more depended. Women were those who had the highest proportion of dependence.

Conclusions: According with Virginia Henderson´s classification, most of the identified needs were not satisfied. These results indicate the need to improve and increase care during hospitalization, as well as training to family caregivers.