Luípa Michele Silva

Evaluation Of The Elderly On Oral Health In The Basic Attention

Background: For aging healthy, the prevention and maintenance of oral health is essential in the general health of the individual. Objective: Thus, we sought to evaluate the elderlys perception of themselves, associating this information with their reported quality of life. Methods: This is an exploratory descriptive study with a quantitative approach. It was held in the Family Health Units in the city of Joao Pessoa-Paraiba-Brazil, in 2015. The Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index questionnaire was used to assess the Socio Dental Indicator. Results: Were 258 elderly, mostly female, married, who perceive their oral health positively, although they report having suffered limitations, being them physical, psychological, pain or discomfort. Conclusion: In the face of the evidence, measures are suggested to minimize the gaps, adopting more public policies aimed at the health of the elderly. These measures will ensure better conditions of service and development of projects with the aim of providing ageing with quality of life, to this age group. The results of this study may contribute to educational actions aimed at improving the care of the elderly.

Health Problems of Institutionalized Elderly

Introduction: human aging is marked by a decrease in the performance of some daily tasks, some even considered banal and imperceptibly when this limitation is followed by chronic diseases, the elderly becomes a source of concern for the family. Objective: identifying the health problems of the elderly living in long-stay institutions from self-reported diseases. This is a descriptive and quantitative study, conducted in northeastern Brazil capital, involving 138 elderly. For data collection we used a questionnaire containing demographic variables, institutional and related to self-reported health problems. Data were evaluated using bivariate analysis and association chi-square. Results: predominance of women was found (61.6%), aged 60-69 years old (39.1%), coming from the state capital (51.4%), and institutional permanence time between 1-5 years (77.5%). The most frequent diseases were related to the cardiovascular system (15.9%) and endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (9.4%). It showed a significant association between self-reported diseases and the age of the elderly (p=0.047). Conclusion: it is expected to raise awareness among health professionals to provide a better assistance to the institutionalized elderly focusing on the real needs of these persons.

Falls Frequency In Elderly Assisted In The Family Health Strategy

Introduction: The growth of the elderly population is a global phenomenon and, in Brazil, this transformation is happening in a very fast way. Objective: knowing the frequency of falls in the context of an aging population attended in a Health Family Unit. Method: This is a transversal research with a sample consisted of 121 elderly. A questionnaire was applied to the participants and the results were statistically analyzed with the Chi-Square test and Fishers exact used to verify the association between variables. Results: The results show that the majorities were female (76.9%); concerning marital status, 35.3% are married; 92.1% with family income between one and two minimum wages; and 91.8% live with their spouse and/or children. The study showed a significant statistically association between female gender (p=0.001) , leading to the conclusion that there is a tendency that older woman suffers more falls than men. We found an occurrence of falls in 69.9% of women while this rate reaches 32.1% in male elderly. Conclusion: Therefore, it is expected that these results can help to give a new look to the understanding of the falls with the Health Family Units.

Mudanças e acontecimentos ao longo da vida: um estudo comparativo entre grupos de idosos

2 PhD, Profesor Asociado, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, PB, Brasil.3 PhD, Profesor Asociado, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.4 PhD, Profesor Doctor, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, PB, Brasil.5 PhD, Profesor, Center of Competence on Aging, DEASS, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Suiza.OBJECTIVE: to identify the changes which had occurred over the last year in the life of older adults, as well as the values attributed to these changes. METHOD: this is a multicentric, cross-sectional study, of the inquiry type, undertaken in three cities of the Brazilian Northeast, investigating two distinct groups of older adults. RESULTS: among the 236 older adults interviewed, it was observed that 30.0% reported health as the main change in their life course in the last year, this category being the most significant response among the older adults aged between 80 and 84 years old (37.7%). Changes in the family were mentioned by 11.5% of the older adults; death (9.6%) and alterations in routine activities (9.6%). In relation to the value attributed to these changes, it was ascertained that for 64.7% of the older adults aged between 65 and 69 years old, these changes were positive. In the older group, 49.4% of the older adults believe that their changes were related to losses. CONCLUSION: the knowledge of the changes mentioned, the value attributed to these changes, and the self-evaluation of health provide information which assists in formulating actions which are more specific to the real needs of these age groups. They also provide the health professionals with a better understanding of how some experiences are experienced in the life trajectories of these older adults.

Changes and events over life course: a comparative study between groups of older adults

2 PhD, Profesor Asociado, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, PB, Brasil.3 PhD, Profesor Asociado, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.4 PhD, Profesor Doctor, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, PB, Brasil.5 PhD, Profesor, Center of Competence on Aging, DEASS, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Suiza.OBJECTIVE: to identify the changes which had occurred over the last year in the life of older adults, as well as the values attributed to these changes. METHOD: this is a multicentric, cross-sectional study, of the inquiry type, undertaken in three cities of the Brazilian Northeast, investigating two distinct groups of older adults. RESULTS: among the 236 older adults interviewed, it was observed that 30.0% reported health as the main change in their life course in the last year, this category being the most significant response among the older adults aged between 80 and 84 years old (37.7%). Changes in the family were mentioned by 11.5% of the older adults; death (9.6%) and alterations in routine activities (9.6%). In relation to the value attributed to these changes, it was ascertained that for 64.7% of the older adults aged between 65 and 69 years old, these changes were positive. In the older group, 49.4% of the older adults believe that their changes were related to losses. CONCLUSION: the knowledge of the changes mentioned, the value attributed to these changes, and the self-evaluation of health provide information which assists in formulating actions which are more specific to the real needs of these age groups. They also provide the health professionals with a better understanding of how some experiences are experienced in the life trajectories of these older adults.

Cambios y acontecimientos a lo largo de la vida: un estudio comparativo entre grupos de ancianos

2 PhD, Profesor Asociado, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, PB, Brasil.3 PhD, Profesor Asociado, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.4 PhD, Profesor Doctor, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, PB, Brasil.5 PhD, Profesor, Center of Competence on Aging, DEASS, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Suiza.OBJECTIVE: to identify the changes which had occurred over the last year in the life of older adults, as well as the values attributed to these changes. METHOD: this is a multicentric, cross-sectional study, of the inquiry type, undertaken in three cities of the Brazilian Northeast, investigating two distinct groups of older adults. RESULTS: among the 236 older adults interviewed, it was observed that 30.0% reported health as the main change in their life course in the last year, this category being the most significant response among the older adults aged between 80 and 84 years old (37.7%). Changes in the family were mentioned by 11.5% of the older adults; death (9.6%) and alterations in routine activities (9.6%). In relation to the value attributed to these changes, it was ascertained that for 64.7% of the older adults aged between 65 and 69 years old, these changes were positive. In the older group, 49.4% of the older adults believe that their changes were related to losses. CONCLUSION: the knowledge of the changes mentioned, the value attributed to these changes, and the self-evaluation of health provide information which assists in formulating actions which are more specific to the real needs of these age groups. They also provide the health professionals with a better understanding of how some experiences are experienced in the life trajectories of these older adults.

Perfil demográfico de idosos não institucionalizados e sua percepção sobre alimentos funcionais

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o perfil demografico de idosos e sua percepcao sobre alimentos funcionais. A pesquisa foi descritiva, com delineamento transversal, e abordagem quantitativa, envolvendo 200 idosos, em Joao Pessoa – PB, em 2011. Na analise, utilizou-se o software SPSS, versao 19, teste de quiquadrado com nivel de significância de p<0,05. Sao resultados: maioria do sexo feminino, faixa etaria entre 60 e 69 anos, com um salario minimo; e maioria viuvos. Quanto aos habitos alimentares, 90,5% consumiam diariamente frutas e hortalicas, 35,5% referiram nao comer frituras e gorduras; 45% bebiam mais de cinco xicaras de liquido e 51,5% atestaram estado de saude regular. Como conclusao, tem-se que a maioria dos idosos tem um bom conhecimento sobre os alimentos funcionais e os utiliza frequentemente. A percepcao dos idosos sobre os alimentos funcionais e seus habitos alimentares foi de extrema importância para o planejamento de futuras acoes, indispensaveis para a promocao da saude dessa populacao. ABSTRACT The study analyzed demographic profile and perceptions of functional foods among 200 elderly in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil, in 2011. The design was cross-sectional and the approach, quantitative. The analysis used SPSS software, version 19, chi-square test with a p<0.05 significance level. The results were: mostly female, from 60 and 69 to old, earning one minimum wage; and mostly widowers. Eating habits featured 90.5% consumed fruits and vegetables daily; 35,5% reported not eating fried foods and fats; 45% drank more than five cups of liquid; and 51.5% self-rated their state of health as fair. In conclusion, most of the elderly had good knowledge of functional foods and used them often. Their perceptions of functional foods and their eating habits were extremely important to planning future actions, which are essential to health promotion for this population. RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el perfil demografico de los ancianos y su percepcion de los alimentos funcionales. La investigacion fue descriptiva con diseno transversal y un abordaje cuantitativo, involucrando a 200 ancianos, en Joao Pessoa –Paraiba, Brasil, en 2011. En el analisis, se ha utilizado el software SPSS, version 19, prueba de chi cuadrado con un nivel de significacion de p<0,05. Los resultados son: en su mayoria mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 60 y 69 anos, recibiendo un salario minimo; y en su mayoria viudas. En cuanto a las costumbres alimentarias, el 90,5% consumia frutas y verduras; el 35,5% informo que no comia alimentos fritos y grasas; un 45% bebia mas de cinco tazas de liquido y el 51,5% afirmo que tenia estado de salud regular. En conclusion, la mayoria de los ancianos tiene un buen conocimiento de los alimentos funcionales y los ingieren con frecuencia. La percepcion de los ancianos sobre los alimentos funcionales y sus habitos de alimentacion fue sumamente importante para la planificacion de acciones futuras, esenciales para la promocion de la salud de esta poblacion. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2015.17717