Incapacidade funcional em idosos: análise do conceito

Abstract

TALMELLI-RUY, L.F. Functional disability in the elderly: a concept analysis. 2013. 186 f. Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing. Ribeirão Preto. 2013 The national setting points to a greater proportion of elderly individuals and a consequent increase in the population's life expectancy, thus, the objective of the healthcare of the elderly stands on the maintenance of their functionality, autonomy and independence for as long as it is possible. In this context, a concern emerges regarding the development of studies to assess the functionality of this population. The aim of this study was to analyze the concept of functional disability in elderly individuals using the Hybrid Model of Concept Development. This model is comprised of three phases, namely the Theoretical Phase, the Field Phase and the Final Analytical Phase. The Theoretical Phase was developed by means of a literature integrative review, in which the search for primary studies took place in the LILACS, MEDLINE and CINAHL databases with the use of controlled and noncontrolled descriptors that were limited according to the specificity of each database. A total of 1,113 studies were preselected, however only 58 were found eligible after the application of the inclusion criteria. The Field Phase took place in two steps. The first step consisted of a semi-structured interview in the house of the elderly individuals for identification of those who were eligible for the second step; the focus group technique was used in this moment. Four groups were performed, with two groups including elderly individuals between 60 at 79 years of age and two groups including elderly individuals over 80 years of age. During the groups, the researchers approached the antecedents, attributes and consequences of the concept of functional disability, and the groups were analyzed by means of the thematic content analysis. In the Final Analytical Phase, the data collected in the Theoretical and Field Phases were identified and their similarities, divergences and differences were analyzed. These data showed that functional disability in the elderly is multidimensional. It is related to physical, social, personal, environmental and emotional aspects, not restricted only to the presence of pathologies or the incapability of performing daily living activities independently, but also in the damage of the maintenance of the autonomy and wellbeing of the elderly. Functional disability occurs in different contexts, being related to the old age, the presence of chronic conditions, accumulative results of life habits, damage in the performance of social roles and unfavorable environmental conditions. The results of functional disability are damaging and bring harm both to the individuals and to their families, being related to reduced expectancy and quality of life, loss of independence and autonomy, increased costs, environmental adjustments and, especially, to emotional damage. The study of the concept of functional disability in the elderly with the u...