Assessment of self-sufficiency in ultraoctagenerians.
Among the age-related problems, a progressive loss of self-sufficiency is an important issue. We conducted a detailed analysis on 400 ultraoctagenarians to detect the most frequent deficits and needs. Our study series consisted of 168 males and 232 females, grouped into age classes. This sample was collected over a 4 year period in old peoples' homes, private homes and hospitals. We utilized activity of daily living (ADL), instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) and mini mental state examination (MMSE) scales to evaluate self-sufficiency of the elderly people. Complete self-sufficiency was observed in a very small percentage of the sample, whereas most of the impairments was present in memory, in drug intake and diet. We conclude that social efforts must be aimed at creating a policy which recognizes the need for family care of ultraoctagenarians and grants incentives to achieve this goal.
Malaguarnera
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M
Institute of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Catania, Cannizzaro Hospital, Via Messina, 829, l-95126 Catania, Italy.
Pistone
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G
Motta
M
M
Lo Manto
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PC
Di Fazio
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I