Background
It is important to characterize the functioning of elderly adults in different care contexts and evaluate their suitability to the condition of the elderly population. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the functional profiles of institutionalized and noninstitutionalized older adults; to evaluate the effect of biological and sociodemographic factors on the determination of functional profiles and to evaluate the probability of an older adults obtaining a certain overall functional profile based on his/her age.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study that included 476 participants over 65 years old who were divided into two groups: noninstitutionalized elderly living in their homes and attending day care centers (100) and institutionalized elderly living in nursing homes (376). The data were collected using the semi-structured interview method and it was applied the Elderly Nursing Core Set.
Results
The Elderly Nursing Core Set model tested consisted of 22 items in five domains: “Self-Care - Activities of daily living (a)”; “Self-Care - Activities of daily living (b)”; “Mental Functions”; “Communication” and “Support and Relationships”. Women, older participants, illiterate elderly and institutionalized participants had worse functional profile results.
Conclusions
Age, female sex, lack of education, and institutionalization are negatively related to the functional profile. Given the association between education level and functioning, it is necessary to promote the training of elderly individuals throughout life. The implementation of social and health responses should allow elderly individuals to remain in their homes, given the influence of functioning on self-care and quality of life.