Dementia & Neuropsychologia (Dec 2021)

Dementia among older adults living in long-term care facilities: an epidemiological study

  • Daniel Ferreira Fagundes,
  • Marcos Túlio Costa,
  • Bárbara Bispo da Silva Alves,
  • Lara Carneiro,
  • Osvaldo Jose Moreira Nascimento,
  • Luana Lemos Leão,
  • André Luiz Sena Guimarães,
  • Alfredo Maurício Batista de Paula,
  • Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-57642021dn15-040007
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 4
pp. 464 – 469

Abstract

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ABSTRACT Institutionalization has been associated with social isolation, psychological and cognitive changes, and decreased levels of physical activity in older adults. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and functional dependence in older adults dwelling in two different Brazilian long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 185 older people of both sexes, aged 60 years or over, residing in two LTCFs in the city of Montes Claros-MG, Brazil. The diagnosis of MCI and dementia was performed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Results: Prevalence rates of dementia, MCI, and functional dependence in institutionalized older participants were 62.3, 15.1, and 78.9%, respectively. There was a significant reduction of the Mini-Mental State Examination scores according to the increase of the institutionalization period in LCTFs and the age of older adults (p<0.001). Conclusions: Prevalence of dementia and functional dependence of older adults residing in LTCFs exhibited higher rates compared to the other older population worldwide. A higher institutionalization period is related to a greater cognitive decline.

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