Social Vulnerability, Frailty and Mortality in Elderly People

In order to guide the development of dementia-related public policies for the elderly, it is important to identify factors that vary together with the social vulnerability of this population. This study aimed to identify the relationship between the São Paulo Social Vulnerability Index (IPVS) and various indicators of family support for elderly people over 80 years of age, who presented cognitive alterations (N=49). All ethical guidelines were followed. Data were collected at the homes of the elderly people. A large majority of the respondents lived with family members (88%). In half of the cases, the respondents lived with one (41%) or two (9%) other elderly persons. On average, there was one more non-elderly person living in the high vulnerability family context (M = 3.6, sd = 1.70) than in contexts of very low vulnerability (M = 2.4, sd = 1.07), F(2.43) = 3.364, p < 0.05. However, the functionality of the support provided by these family members needs to be verified, in each of these contexts.

Download Full-text

Social Vulnerability, Frailty and Mortality in Elderly People

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0002232 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 3 (5) ◽

pp. e2232 ◽

Cited By ~ 154

Author(s):

Melissa K. Andrew ◽

Arnold B. Mitnitski ◽

Kenneth Rockwood

Keyword(s):

Elderly People ◽

Social Vulnerability

Download Full-text

Midline fast waves in EEGs of elderly people with dementia

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology ◽

10.1016/s0013-4694(97)88599-2 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 134

Author(s):

S Ichijoh

Keyword(s):

Elderly People ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Fast Waves

Download Full-text

Preventive Care for Elderly People

10.1017/cbo9780511527074 ◽

1993 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

David C. Kennie

Keyword(s):

Elderly People ◽

Preventive Care

Download Full-text

Climate Variability, Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the Semi-arid Tropics

10.1017/cbo9780511608308 ◽

1996 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Variability ◽

Social Vulnerability ◽

Semi Arid

Download Full-text

The Relationship Between Antioxidant Nutrient Intake and Cataracts in Older People

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831.76.6.359 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 76 (6) ◽

pp. 359-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽

Ortega ◽

López-Sobaler ◽

Aparicio ◽

Bermejo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin C ◽

Older People ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Protective Effect ◽

Elderly People ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Institutionalized Elderly ◽

Weighing Method ◽

The Relationship

This study investigated the relationship between the intake of antioxidant nutrients and the suffering of cataracts in 177 institutionalized elderly people (61 men and 116 women) aged ≥ 65 years. Dietary intake was monitored for 7 consecutive days using a "precise individual weighing" method. Subjects, who during their earlier years were exposed by their work to sunlight, had a greater risk of suffering cataracts (OR = 3.2; Cl: 1.1–9.3, P < 0.05) than those who worked indoors. A relationship was found between increased vitamin C intake and a reduced prevalence of cataracts (i.e., when comparing those above P95 for vitamin C intake with those below P5; (OR = 0.08; Cl: 0.01–0.75, P 0.05). Among subjects with cataracts, 12.1% had vitamin C intakes of < 61 mg/day (P10) and only 2.2% had intakes of > 183 mg/day (P95) (p < 0.01). Subjects who consumed > 3290 μg/day (P95) of lutein were less likely to have cataracts (OR = 0.086; Cl: 0.007–1.084; p < 0.05) than those whose consumption was < 256 μg/day (P5). In men, high intakes of zeaxanthin seemed to provide a protective effect against the problem (OR = 0.96; Cl: 0.91–0.99; p < 0.05). The results suggest an association exists between exposure to sunlight and the development of cataracts, and that vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin offer some protection against this disorder.

Download Full-text

Autonomy, Privacy and the Implementation of the Principle of Informed Consent with regard to the Nursing Interventions from the View of elderly People

Pflege ◽

10.1024/1012-5302.14.1.29 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 29-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anja Schopp ◽

Theo Dassen ◽

Maritta Välimäki ◽

Helena Leino-Kilpi ◽

Gerd Bansemir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Informed Consent ◽

Elderly People ◽

Ältere Menschen ◽

Nursing Interventions ◽

Patient’S Autonomy

Ziel dieser Untersuchung war die Autonomie, Privatheit und die Umsetzung des Prinzips der «informierten Zustimmung» aus der Perspektive des institutionell zu betreuenden, älteren Menschen zu beschreiben. Die Untersuchung ist ein Teil des durch die EU-Kommission unterstützten BIOMED 2 Projektes «Patient’s autonomy and privacy in nursing interventions»1. Interviewdaten (n = 95) wurden in deutschen Kliniken der Geriatrie und Pflegeheimen gesammelt. Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die Teilnehmer in geringem Maß selbstbestimmte Entscheidungen treffen konnten. Das Prinzip der «informierten Zustimmung» wurde wenig umgesetzt. Ihre Privatheit sahen die Teilnehmer in Mehrbettzimmern sowie in Situationen des Ankleidens und bei der Verrichtung der Ausscheidungen nicht respektiert. Es ist anzunehmen, dass ältere Menschen wegen Informationsdefiziten, durch ihren Hilfsbedarf und durch die festgelegten Organisationsstrukturen der Pflegeeinrichtungen eine passive Krankenrolle übernehmen. Es wäre denkbar, dass die Autonomie der älteren Menschen gefördert werden könnte, wenn die Pflegekräfte sie in der Rolle des Fürsprechers bei selbstbestimmten Entscheidungen unterstützen würden. Bei den pflegerischen Interventionen würde die Umsetzung des Prinzips der «informierten Zustimmung» sowohl die Autonomie als auch die Respektierung der Privatheit fördern. Es ist außerdem anzunehmen, dass durch Flexibilisierung der Organisationsstrukturen der Pflegeeinrichtungen die Autonomie und Lebensqualität der älteren Menschen gefördert werden könnte.

Download Full-text