title: [Description of health status and functional capacity of the 65-year-old and older population residing in the University Region of Health of Puerto Rico].
abstract: This study intended to describe the health and functional status of the population 65 years and over resident in the Puerto Rico University Health Region (municipalities of Canóvanas, Loiza, Carolina and Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico). Four ninety one hundred elderly subjects selected from a random sample of households, were interviewed. A questionnaire was designed to gather data of the following variables: health conditions, functional capacity, health services utilization, social support and preventive measures. Descriptive measures and chi-square were utilized for the statistical analysis. Findings revealed a population composed mostly of women with a higher prevalence of health conditions than their male counterparts. More than half of the sample report visual problems, arthritis or hypertension. Almost a quarter had diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of these conditions was higher in the age group over 75, with the exception of diabetes. Thirty percent of the sample was classified as functionally dependent, condition that increased with the subject's age. Findings evidence the need of an early assessment in this population in order to intervene with potentially modifiable factors to prevent future disability and improve quality of life of the aged.
authors.affiliation: Escuela Graduada de Salud Pública, Departamento de Desarrollo Humano, Universidad de Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00935-5067.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliver-Vázquez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suárez-Pérez
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: De Andino
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vega Torres
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Conde
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Rosado
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011647:Puerto Rico; D014495:Universities