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. 2018 Oct 25;52Suppl 2(Suppl 2):9s.
doi: 10.11606/S1518-8787.2018052000650.

Care and functional disabilities in daily activities - ELSI-Brazil

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Karla Cristina Giacomin  1   2 , Yeda Aparecida Oliveira Duarte  3   4 , Ana Amélia Camarano  5   6 , Daniella Pires Nunes  7 , Daniele Fernandes  5
Affiliations

Care and functional disabilities in daily activities - ELSI-Brazil

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Karla Cristina Giacomin et al. Rev Saude Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of demand and provision of care for the Brazilian population with functional disabilities in activities of daily living.

Methods: This is a quantitative and descriptive study using baseline data from ELSI-Brazil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging), a cohort study with a representative sample of the Brazilian population aged 50 years or older (n = 9,412). We considered the demand for care from the self-report of having some difficulty to perform at least one activity of daily life (eating, bathing, going to the toilet, dressing, moving in a room [ambulation], and transferring from chair [transfer]). Care supply was measured by having some help to perform the activity of daily living.

Results: Approximately a quarter of the individuals evaluated (23.2%) reported difficulty in at least one activity of daily living, especially regarding transfer and dressing. Age, schooling, and number of chronic diseases were significantly associated with the difficulty in activities of daily living. Among those who reported difficulty, 35.1% received help of others and 11.8% did not receive (lack of care). The activities with greater lack of care were bathing (13.3%) and transfer (11.7%), which reveals an undignified survival condition. Care remains a family (94.1%) and female (72.1%) issue; despite the important changes that have taken place in society, there is still a lack of care policies. Of the total caregivers, 25.8% reported stopping working or studying to perform this role and only 9.2% were paid (hired ones or family members).

Conclusions: The ELSI-Brazil results reveal the expressive care demand of the Brazilian population aged 50 years or older with functional disabilities on activities of daily living and the lack of care policies aimed at this public.

OBJETIVO: Investigar as prevalências da demanda e da oferta de cuidados à população brasileira com limitações funcionais em atividades básicas da vida diária.

MÉTODOS: Estudo quantitativo e descritivo, que utiliza dados da linha de base do ELSI-Brasil (Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Idoso), estudo de coorte com amostra representativa da população brasileira de pessoas a partir de 50 anos (n = 9.412). Considera-se a demanda de cuidados a partir do autorrelato de ter alguma dificuldade para o desempenho de pelo menos uma atividade básica da vida diária (comer, tomar banho, ir ao banheiro, vestir-se, locomover-se em um cômodo e transferir-se da cadeira). A oferta de cuidado foi medida por ter alguma ajuda para realizar a atividade básica da vida diária.

RESULTADOS: Cerca de um quarto dos indivíduos avaliados (23,2%) relatou dificuldade em pelo menos uma atividade básica da vida diária, sobretudo quanto à transferência e vestimenta. A idade, a escolaridade e o número de doenças crônicas associaram-se de forma significativa com a dificuldade nas atividades básicas da vida diária. Entre os que referiam dificuldade, 35,1% contavam com a ajuda de outrem e 11,8% não recebiam nenhuma ajuda (insuficiência de cuidado). As atividades com maior insuficiência de cuidado foram: tomar banho (13,3%) e transferir-se (11,7%), o que revela uma condição indigna de sobrevivência. O cuidado continua sendo uma questão familiar (94,1%) e feminina (72,1%); apesar das importantes mudanças ocorridas na sociedade, ainda há insuficiência de políticas de cuidado voltadas para essa área. Dos cuidadores, 25,8% referiram parar de trabalhar ou estudar para exercer essa função; e apenas 9,2% eram remunerados (contratados ou familiares).

CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados do ELSI-Brasil revelam a expressiva demanda de cuidados pela população brasileira a partir de 50 anos com limitações funcionais em atividades básicas de vida diária e a insuficiência de políticas de cuidados voltadas a esse público.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure
Figure. Distribution (%) of the study participants (≥ 50 years) with difficulty in activities of daily living, according to impaired activities and receipt of help. Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), 2015–2016. (n = 2,282)
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