Capacidade funcional de idosos: uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os fatores associados

Abstract

The aim of this work was to identify the main factors associated on functional capacity of elderly through an integrative bibliographical on the proposed issue. Initially was done a search for subject descriptors in health sciences website. Established the descriptors search was carried out for scientific articles related to the subject, using the bibliographic databases of the Latin American and Caribbean (LILACS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo). So, initially 169 articles were found, of which 24 initially met criteria of refinement. Of these 24 articles, after reading them completely, 16 articles were selected. According to the authors, the main factors associated with functional dependence on elderly are: health conditions (chronic or not chronic diseases), female, low educational attainment, age of more than 80 years, institutionalization, falls, fragility syndrome and socioeconomic and demographic factors (low-income, widowhood, family composition, poor social relationships, etc). These results demonstrate that it is important to know the factors related to the development of functional dependence in the elderly because these elements would allow the professional act before, the problem becomes chronic and complex, as well as strengthen the actions of family health teams in promoting the health of the elderly person, preserving their autonomy and functional dependency.