[Multidimensional approach aimed at the frail elderly. Review of the literature].
Italy is among the EU countries with the highest number of elderly persons, with a percentage of over sixties destined to increase further in the next few years. As far as health care demands are concerned , life expectancy of 65 year-olds is about 16 years for men ( with at least 5 years of disability) and about 20 years for women (with 6 years of disability), according to the CEIS Health figures for 2006. This tendency has brought about a proportional increase in the demand for nursing experience in the field of geriatrics. The principal problems regarding the basic needs of the elderly are identified with reference to nursing studies and to other sources. In fact, a multidimensional approach is necessary not only for a complete evaluation but also to allow nurses to identify any problems related to functionality and autonomy and to keep them under control.
Vario
Massimiliano
M
DAI, Dott. Coordinatore infermieristico Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea di Roma, Docente discipline infermieristiche Università La Sapienza di Roma.
D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology; D009043:Motor Activity; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012146:Rest; D012890:Sleep; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology