Objective:To investigate the socioeconomic and clinical factors that contribute to the functional independence of the oldest old of a community. Method: Cross-sectional quantitative study whose sample consisted of 214 elderly people registered in Basic Health Units. Data were collected through structured interviews and application of the Functional Independence Measure. We used descriptive statistics, and for association of the variables we used the Student t-test, ANOVA and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons. Results: The significant variables that contributed to the functional independence were remaining economically active, practicing physical and leisure activities, having a social life, eating fruits, vegetables and meat. The orientation to conduct these practices reduces the demand for care and help needed in everyday activities. Conclusion: Maintaining independence is primordial to delay disability and presents itself as an excellent field of work for nursing.

Objective: To investigate pre-frailty and factors associated with this condition, considering the levels of physical activity of the elderly. Methods: Cross-sectional quantitative study. The sample was calculated based on the estimated population proportion and comprised 195 older adults receiving care at a Basic Health Unit. Data were collected by means of a sociodemographic/clinical profile questionnaire and a second questionnaire regarding physical activity. Results: Among the 195 subjects participating in the study, 73 had a decreased level of physical activity and were classified as being in a condition of pre-frailty for this component. Conclusion: Pre-frailty for physical activity presented a moderate prevalence and was associated with the age range and the use of medication, such as antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory drugs. ResumoObjetivo: Investigar a pré-fragilidade e os fatores associados a essa condição, considerando o nível de atividade física dos idosos. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo transversal. A amostra foi calculada com base na estimativa da proporção populacional e constituída por 195 idosos usuários de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde. Os dados foram coletados mediante questionário sociodemográfico/clínico e nível de atividade física. Resultados: Dos 195 sujeitos participantes da pesquisa, 73 possuíam diminuição do nível de atividade física, sendo classificados em condição de pré-fragilidade para esse componente. Conclusão: A pré-fragilidade para atividade física possui moderada prevalência e associou-se à faixa etária e ao uso de medicamentos, entre eles anti-hipertensivos e anti-inflamatórios.

Factors associated with loss of handgrip strength in long-lived elderly RESUMEN Objetivo: Investigar la prevalencia de la reducción de la fuerza de agarre manual y los factores asociados en ancianos longevos, usuarios de la atención básica a la salud. Método: Estudio cuantitativo transversal, cuyos datos fueron recogidos en el período de enero a diciembre de 2013, por medio de pruebas y aplicación de cuestionarios. La muestra por conveniencia comprendió a 157 ancianos. Resultados: Señalan que la reducción de la fuerza de agarre manual tiene prevalencia moderada (25,5%), con predominio del sexo femenino (19,1%), del rango de edad de 80 a 89 años (18,5%) y baja escolaridad (15,9%). La asociación entre la disminución de la fuerza de agarre manual y las variables de edad e índice de masa corpórea mostró significación estadística. Conclusión: Las investigaciones acerca del componente de la fuerza de agarre manual son fundamentales para la identificación de las condiciones clínicas de los ancianos longevos brasileños y contribuyen para la construcción de planes dirigidos a la gestión de la fragilidad. DESCRIPTORES Anciano frágil Fuerza de la mano Enfermería geriátrica Salud del anciano RESUMOObjetivo: Investigar a prevalência da redução da força de preensão manual e fatores associados em idosos longevos, usuários da atenção básica de saúde. Método: Estudo quantitativo transversal, cujos dados foram coletados no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2013, por meio de testes e aplicação de questionários. A amostra por conveniência compreendeu 157 idosos. Resultados: Apontam que a redução da força de preensão manual possui prevalên-cia moderada (25,5%), com predomínio do sexo feminino (19,1%), da faixa etária de 80 a 89 anos (18,5%) e baixa escolaridade (15,9%). A associação entre diminuição da força de preensão manual e as variáveis idade e índice de massa corpórea mostrou significância estatística. Conclusão: As investigações sobre o componente da força de preensão manual são fundamentais para a identificação das condições clínicas dos idosos longevos brasileiros e contribuem para a construção de planos voltados para a gestão da fragilidade. DESCRITORES Idoso fragilizado Força da mão Enfermagem geriátrica Saúde do idoso ABSTRACTObjective: To investigate the prevalence of reduced grip strength and associated factors in long-lived elderly, who are users of primary health care. Method: Cross-sectional quantitative study, data were collected during the period of January to December of 2013, by applying tests and questionnaires. The convenience sampling was comprised of 157 seniors. Results: The findings indicate that the reduction in grip strength presents a moderate prevalence (25.5%), predominantly among females (19.1%), in the age group of 80-89 years (18.5%) and in those with lower educational levels (15.9%). The association between reduced grip strength and the variables of age and body mass index showed a statistical significance. Conclusion: Investigations about the handgrip strength are essential for identifying clinica...

Objective: to investigate pre-frailty and the factors associated with this condition, taking into account the measurements of the older adults' gait speed. Method: participants were selected by means of inclusion/exclusion criteria and a cognitive tracking test. The sample was calculated based on the estimation of populational proportion and made up of 195 older adults who were using a Primary Health-Care Center in Curitiba in the state of Paraná. Data was collected using a sociodemographic/clinical questionnaire and the gait speed test. Results: pre-frailty for gait speed has moderate prevalence (27.3%), and is associated with the 60 -69 years age range, a low level of schooling, not feeling oneself to be alone, using anti-hypertensives, having cardiovascular disease and being overweight. Conclusion: it is considered relevant to identify those older adults with pre-frailty, as this creates the possibility for immediate intervention with the aim of stabilizing the picture. There is a significant shortage of studies on the syndrome of frailty in Brazilian older adults, principally referring to components in isolation. Given that gerontological nursing is at an early stage regarding this issue, it is understood that the identification of the prevalence must be the key point of the research on the matter.

The FIM was used in several scenarios of healthcare for the elderly, particularly in rehabilitation and outpatient clinics or health centers.