Functional capability and violence situations against the elderly

Abstract

Objective: To verify whether there is a connection between the functional capacity of the elderly and the presence of violent situations in their daily lives. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study developed with 237 elderly individuals. Standard and validated research instruments were used. Results: Mean age of 70.25 years (standard deviation of 6.94), 69% were female, 76% were independent in basic activities of daily living and 54% had a partial dependence on at least one instrumental activity. The most prevalent violence was psychological and the relation between being dependent on basic activities of daily living and suffering physical violence was statistically significant. Conclusion: When the elderly needs assistance to perform self-care activities, there is a greater chance of exposure to a situation of abuse, such as physical violence. ResumoObjetivo: Verificar se há relação entre a capacidade funcional do idoso e a presença de situações de violência em seu cotidiano. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal de base populacional com 237 idosos. Foram utilizados instrumentos de pesquisa validados e padronizados. Resultados: A média de idade de 70,25 anos (desvio padrão de 6,94), 69% eram do gênero feminino, 76% eram independentes nas Atividades Básicas de Vida Diária e 54% possuíam dependência parcial em pelo menos uma atividade instrumental. A violência mais prevalente foi a psicológica e foi estatisticamente significativa a relação entre ser dependente em Atividades Básicas de Vida Diária e sofrer violência física. Conclusão: Quando o idoso necessita de ajuda para realizar atividades de autocuidado, maior é a chance de exposição à situação de maus-tratos do tipo violência física.

Fatores preditores para incapacidade funcional de idosos atendidos na atenção básica

“…The elderly who has a job is less likely to have worse functional capacity, with few difficulties for Activities of Daily Living, when compared with those who do not work (16) . The association of low socioeconomic levels with worse health conditions has been documented, through population studies, in different age groups and in different areas (1,(4)(5) . The low socioeconomic condition is related with a series of negative conditions and may contribute to the loss of functional autonomy, as with low education and poor conditions of health, among other factors.…”

“…The concept of functional capacity arises from this, i.e., the ability to maintain physical and mental abilities for an independent and autonomous life. It is a concept which, from the point of view of public health, is the one best suited to instrumentalize and operationalize the health care of the elderly (4) . The decline of functional capacity may be related with a series of multidimensional factors, which interact with each other and define this ability in the elderly, and the early identification of these factors can assist in the prevention of functional dependency in this group (3)(4) .…”

“…It is a concept which, from the point of view of public health, is the one best suited to instrumentalize and operationalize the health care of the elderly (4) . The decline of functional capacity may be related with a series of multidimensional factors, which interact with each other and define this ability in the elderly, and the early identification of these factors can assist in the prevention of functional dependency in this group (3)(4) . It is of paramount importance to identify the functional capacity of the elderly, as well as to relate it with environmental conditions, to then investigate which may be subject to interventions.…”

<b>Violência contra idosos: preditores e distribuição espacial / Violence against theelderly people: predictors and space distribution<b>

“…Destaca-se que a literatura científica tem identificado percentual considerável de violência entre idosos (3,4) . Contudo, há ainda diferentes estimativas quanto à sua prevalência devido à diversidade metodológica existente entre as investigações, definições de violência e no modo de condução da avaliação (2) .…”

“…No Brasil, pesquisa conduzida em um serviço de atenção primária em Brasília-DF verificou que 60% dos idosos relataram ter sofrido pelo menos um tipo de violência (3) . Em outro inquérito nacional baseado em fichas de notificação compulsória do Sistema de Informações e Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), foi identificada a violência do tipo física em 30,9% dos idosos do sexo feminino e 32,1% do sexo masculino (4) .…”