Stimulation in institutionalized elderly people: effects of cognitive activity practice

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate cognitive aspects in institutionalized elderly people before and after realization of cognitive stimulation activities. Method: It is a semi-experimental and quantitative study. It was performed in a Long Term Care Institutions for the Elderly (ILPI) located in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte with the elderly who reached the minimum score in the survey instrument Mini Mental State Examination. They were only 26% of the residents. Results: After stimulation activities it was observed that the elderly were able to maintain or to increase the score for the various aspects evaluated. It was confirmed by statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon test a significant difference between the groups before and after, given by p-value = 0,027. Conclusion: It was identified that the realization of cognitive stimulation activities get responses that contribute to the increase of the Mini Mental State Examination score.