Kairós Gerontologia (Dec 2013)
Functional capacity of a group of elderly centennial
Abstract
The capacity of performance in activities of daily living care allows the elderly up and answer for themselves domestically, but the physical decline in old age represents a severe risk to their independence. This study aimed to describe the conditions of functionality of a group of elderly centenarians in Passo Fundo (RS). Participated in nine subjects aged between 100 and 104, for data collection used a semi-structured interview and application of the Katz index, the data were analyzed qualitatively. The results show that the performance of the function "bath" is still the most compromised. The functions "dressing and bathroom" are mostly in the independent group. The centenarians in this study need less aid in functions such as "transfer, continence and feeding," which demonstrate greater independence ahead to some important functions in everyday life of the elderly. The men in this study, demonstrate more independence compared to women.