Complexity of care of hospitalized older adults and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics and functional independence

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the complexity of care of hospitalized older adults and sociodemographic and functional independence characteristics. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out in the medical and surgical clinics of the University Hospital of the Universidade de São Paulo, in the state of São Paulo SP, Brazil. A total of 382 older adults were assessed through a socio-demographic inventory, the Mini Mental State Exam, the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living and the Interdisciplinary Medicine Instrument Method. Results: The complexity of care of participants was associated with the female sex (p=0.003), not having a partner (p=0.003), having a lower income (p=0.022), cognitive decline (p<0.001) and dependence in basic activities of daily living (BADL) (p<0.001). In the multiple logistic regression model, variables such as the female sex (OR=1.76; p=0.018), dependence in one or more activities of daily living (OR=1.26; p<0.001) and cognitive decline (OR=3.31; p<0.001) remained associated with complexity of care. Conclusion: The complexity of care of hospitalized older adults, as it is associated with limitations in BADL and cognitive decline, requires actions by the interprofessional team to ensure the rehabilitation, integration of long-term care and planning of care resources for older patients. Thus, it is necessary to adopt integrated services that include home care and care networks for the elderly, in order to provide qualified post-hospital discharge care and promote the health of the hospitalized older population.

Keywords

• Needs Assessment
• Comprehensive Health Care
• Hospital Care
• Health of the Elderly