The purpose of this study is to characterize caretakers of elderly people with cognitive disorders, users of Family Health Units (FHU), that live in different contexts of social vulnerability. Household interviews were conducted (N = 72) with the use of an instrument previously designed, containing socioeconomic and demographic characterization data. All ethical cares have been observed. The results show that caretakers of elderly people that live in contexts of high social vulnerability are primarily adult, married women, with incomplete elementary school education, who work at home. These caretakers live with the elderly person they are in charge of develop a dose relationship with them and do not receive help from professionals. Similar data were found in contexts of low social vulnerability, except that in those cases the support of a formal caretaker is available. The study of the profile of caretakers of elderly people with cognitive alterations living in different contexts of social vulnerability can provide FHU with subsidies so that they can formulate more specific care strategies to caretakers.

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between family functioning and depressive symptoms among institutionalized elderly. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study of quantitative character. A total of 107 institutionalized elderly were assessed using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale (to track depressive symptoms) and the Family APGAR (to assess family functioning). The correlation coefficient of Pearson's, the chi-square test and the crude and adjusted logistic regression were used in the data analysis with a significance level of 5 %. The institutionalized elderly with depressive symptoms were predominantly women and in the age group of 80 years and older. Regarding family functioning, most elderly had high family dysfunctioning (57 %). Family dysfunctioning was higher among the elderly with depressive symptoms. There was a significant correlation between family functioning and depressive symptoms. The conclusion is that institutionalized elderly with dysfunctional families are more likely to have depressive symptoms.

O objetivo foi avaliar a influência do gênero e da idade nas percepções de relações familiares entre idosos com alterações cognitivas que moravam em contextos de pobreza. Trata-se de estudo transversal com abordagem quantitativa. A funcionalidade familiar foi avaliada utilizando o instrumento Apgar de Família, durante entrevista domiciliar com 45 idosos, com alterações cognitivas, que moravam em contextos de pobreza. Os resultados mostram que 62% das mulheres e 95% dos homens avaliaram a funcionalidade de sua família como "boa", 21% das mulheres e 5% dos homens apontaram moderada disfunção e apenas as mulheres (17%) apontaram elevada disfunção familiar. Estes resultados foram significativamente diferentes, segundo o teste de Mann-Whitney (Z=-2,559; p=0,01). Não houve correlação significativa, pelo coeficiente de Spearman, entre idade e funcionamento familiar (p>0,05). Assim, no desenvolvimento de serviços públicos de cuidado ao idoso com alterações cognitivas, é importante considerar diferenças ligadas ao gênero, na percepção de relações familiares.

This study aimed to analyze the joint influence of background variables (age, gender, and income), weakness and sleep disorders on cognition in elderly community residents. This is an excerpt from the multicenter project Frailty in Elderly Brazilians (FIBER). We evaluated 878 patients, using socio demographic questionnaire, questions about sleep disorders (Nottingham Health Profile); issues nap (Minnesota Leisure Activity Questionnaire) and MMSE (cognitive screening). The Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis test and regression analysis were used univariate and multivariate data analysis, with a significance level of 5% (p <0.05). The results showed that elderly patients with lower MMSE scores were those with lower family income, female and older. Health professionals can develop preventive actions in relation to cognition, thus maintaining the autonomy and independence in daily activities of the elderly.

Este trabalho objetivou caracterizar os cuidadores de idosos com alterações cognitivas morando em diferentes contextos de vulnerabilidade social, e avaliar a funcionalidade familiar desses idosos segundo a percepção dos cuidadores. A funcionalidade familiar foi avaliada utilizando o instrumento APGAR de família, durante entrevistas domiciliares com 72 cuidadores de idosos. Todos os cuidados éticos foram observados. Foi utilizada a correlação de Spearman e o teste de Mann-Whitney, com nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Os resultados mostram que 82% dos cuidadores relatam boa funcionalidade familiar; 14%, moderada disfunção familiar; e 4%, elevada disfunção familiar. Houve correlação estatisticamente significante entre o APGAR de Família e o número de pessoas que residem na casa (p=0,048). Investigações futuras poderiam verificar a relação entre funcionalidade familiar e sobrecarga do cuidador no contexto de idosos com demência.