OBJECTIVETo propose a cut-off for the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-bref) as a predictor of quality of life in older adults.METHODSCross-sectional study with 391 older adults registered in the Northwest Health District in Belo Horizonte, MG, Southeastern Brazil, between October 8, 2010 and May 23, 2011. The older adults’ quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-bref. The analysis was rationalized by outlining two extreme and simultaneous groups according to perceived quality of life and satisfaction with health (quality of life good/satisfactory – good or very good self-reported quality of life and being satisfied or very satisfied with health – G5; and poor/very poor quality of life – poor or very poor self-reported quality of life and feeling dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with health – G6). A Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) was created to assess the diagnostic ability of different cut-off points of the WHOQOL-bref.RESULTSROC curve analysis indicated a critical value 60 as the optimal cut-off point for assessing perceived quality of life and satisfaction with health. The area under the curve was 0.758, with a sensitivity of 76.8% and specificity of 63.8% for a cut-off of ≥ 60 for overall quality of life (G5) and sensitivity 95.0% and specificity of 54.4% for a cut-off of < 60 for overall quality of life (G6).CONCLUSIONSDiagnostic interpretation of the ROC curve revealed that cut-off < 60 for overall quality of life obtained excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value for tracking older adults with probable worse quality of life and dissatisfied with health.

Fatores que influenciam a qualidade de vida do cuidador familiar do idoso com demênciaFactors influencing the quality of life of family caregivers of the elderly with dementia

Studies have evaluated the quality of life (QOL) of many groups; however, such studies in relation to

A doença renal crônica e o tratamento dialítico constituem um grande problema para a pessoa doente e sua família, modificando seus hábitos de vida. Essas mudanças exigem da família esforço, dedicação e adaptações na rotina de vida de seus membros. Objetivou-se neste estudo identificar as principais demandas e recursos da família no conviver e no cuidar de pessoas com nefropatia diabética. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, conduzida pelos pressupostos do Modelo Calgary de Avaliação da Família (MCAF), desenvolvido com sete famílias em duas unidades de terapia renal substitutiva em Belo Horizonte/MG. Os resultados da pesquisa foram apresentados sob a forma de demandas e recursos, alicerçadas num conjunto de crenças e valores que interferem no enfrentamento da doença. Os dados obtidos sugerem que cada família pesquisada possui recursos mesmo em face de demandas de saúde, alertando para a necessidade de enxergamos a família como foco do cuidado de enfermagem.

The objective of this documental analysis is to discuss the legal aspects involved in the development of elderly care policies in Brazil, considering the socio-historical-political context, and in view of the aspects that outline the wellbeing of an aged individual. Data collection was performed between June and September of 2010 via governmental websites. Documents were included if they complied with the proposed objective; were connected with elderly care policies, and lay within the legal accomplishments regarding elderly care policies in 2006 and the Elói Chaves Law of 1923. This analysis indicated that elderly wellbeing depends significantly on resource allocation in sectors other than the healthcare area, with emphasis on the elderly in the labor market and the feminization of old age. It is expected that the community and administrators will discuss the needs of the elderly population and the integration of care networks that remain necessary for the heterogeneity of this population.