Profile of the elderly in a long-term care home in the municipality of Nanuque (MG)

Abstract

Introduction: Studying the profile of institutionalized elderly people allows us to get to know their peculiarities. This serves to guide the care required. Objective: To analyze the profile of the elderly at Lar São Vicente de Paulo in Nanuque MG - Brazil. Methodology: A cross-sectional, qualitative and descriptive study using data analysis of 38 institutionalized elderly people. The data was collected by adapting a questionnaire from Scherrer et al (2019). The information is on health, epidemiological, demographic and economic profile. The daily routine was observed, such as: physical exercise, bedridden elderly, wheelchair users and elderly people who wander, in addition to pathologies. Results: Occupation of the Home: 100% are retired or pensioners; 55.2% women and 44.8% men. 34.2% were admitted by their family; 31.5% because they lived alone; 13.2% because they lost their spouse; 10.8% because of a safety risk; 5.2% because of illness and 5.2% because of a sick spouse; 63.2% are ambulant; 10.5% use a wheelchair and 26.3% are bedridden. Main illnesses: diabetes in 21% of men and 13.1% of women, hypertension in 31.5% of men and 10.5% of women, Parkinson's disease in 2.6% of men and 5.2% of women and Alzheimer's disease in 8% of men and 8% of women. The elderly do physical activities and 36% of them participate in the motor physiotherapy program. Conclusion: Most of the elderly at the Home are single women with no children and low levels of education, and men with no family ties, low incomes and low levels of education. Many suffer from diabetes, hypertension and depression, and two have degenerative diseases.