Chronic non-communicable diseases and the functional capacity of elderly people

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed at identifying the relationship between the chronic non-communicable diseases and the functional capacity of domiciled elderly people. Method: This is a descriptive and correlational study, with quantitative nature, in which 90 elderly subjects registered in the Family Health Strategy were assessed. Results: The study showed a high frequency of chronic diseases in elderly subjects, especially systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (97,8% and 24,4%, respectively). Regarding the Daily Life Activities (DLA), 16% of the surveyed elderly showed dependence for at least one activity. In relation to the Instrumental Daily Life Activities, 81% showed some dependence for its accomplishment. Conclusion: In the studied reality, being hypertensive, or hypertensive and diabetic at the same time, is related to the presence of functional dependence in the elderly person.