Characterization of the degree of functional independence in elderly individuals associated with a short-term care institution

Abstract

Loss of functional capacity in older adults is associated with aging, the presence of chronic diseases, and reduced autonomy in activities of daily living, which may directly impact quality of life and increase functional dependence. In this context, assessing functional independence is essential to understanding the health conditions of this population. The general objective of this study was to verify the degree of independence in activities of daily living and the functional capacity of older adults linked to a short-term care institution. This was an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach, conducted with 56 older adults of both sexes, selected by convenience sampling at a social center located in Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil. Data collection was performed using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Katz Scale, an instrument used to assess functional independence. Data were organized and analyzed using descriptive statistics with absolute and relative frequencies. The results showed a predominance of females (67.9%) and widowed older adults (46.4%). Among the most frequent chronic diseases were hypertension (31.0%), arthritis (20.0%), and diabetes mellitus (18.0%). Most participants used medication continuously (87.5%), did not engage in physical activity outside the institution (80.4%), and reported no falls in the previous year (83.9%). Regarding functional capacity, 89.3% of the older adults were classified as independent, while 10.7% showed moderate dependence. It was concluded that the evaluated older adults demonstrated a high level of functional independence, indicating that participation in social institutions may contribute to maintaining autonomy and functionality.