A Funcionalidade dos Mais Idosos (≥ 75 anos): conceitos, perfil e oportunidades de um grupo heterogéneo

Objectives: To know the functioning of two groups of seniors (75-84 and ≥85 years) andits association with age and gender. Methodolog y: This is an observational, analyticaland transversal study, with sample composed by elderly individuals with 75 years or older. Data concerned health condition and functioning pre morbidity status. Datacollection instruments were a social and demographic characterization questionnaireand the Biopsychosocial Assessment Method. Results: The study sample was composedof 262 elderly, with a mean age of 82,9 ± 4,86 years, and 161 individuals (61,5%)were women. The oldest old (≥85 years) lived more isolated (p=0,020) and had fewereducational qualifications (p=0,027), showed greater limitations in climbing stairs(p=0,015), personal hygiene (p=0,008), and faecal continence (p=0,015) and in allinstrumental activities (p<0,031). Women were more vulnerable at marital (p<0,001)and economic status (p=0,009), while men had worse results in falls (p=0,003) andrisk factors (p<0,001). The functional status in mobility and daily activities was similarbetween the sexes. Conclusions: The oldest old studied had different social state variablesvulnerability related to age and gender. However, the difference in functional variablesvulnerability was only related to age. The oldest old had more difficulties in someactivities, especially those that are instrumental.