Analysis Of The Functional Capacity Of Elderly Individuals Assistedby The Hiperdia Program In A Basic Health Unit

Brazil, the elderly constitute the fastest growing age group, and many of these individuals need better care to enjoy an active and healthy old age. Functional capacity is essential for a good quality of life, with both being of equal importance for health promotion. The aim of this study was to analyze the functional capacity of elderly individuals assisted by the HIPERDIA program in a Basic Health Unit in the municipality of Coari-AM, Brazil. The present was a quantitative, cross-sectional study with a descriptive design. Katz and Lawton questionnaires were applied to 50 elderly individuals. The study showed that the variables feeding and bathing: Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) showed greater independence among the elderly, respectively 45 (90%) and 44 (88%). As for the Instrumental Activities of Daily Life (IADL), the best performances were related to the actions of using the telephone, taking care of finances and taking medication on time, with the following percentages: 38 (76%), 37 (74%), and 36 (72%).Systemic arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus, if well controlled,do notconstitute a major reason for loss of functional capacity; everyone who appropriately used medication felt well, just as they were able to perform their activities on a day-to-day basis. Decreased functional capacity is not only related to senescence, as it was confirmed in this study that the dependent or partially-dependent elderly individuals had another chronic disease, often because they did not acquire healthy habits.