title: Evaluation of elderly persons' functionality and care needs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the elderly persons' functionality, based on the International Classification of Functionality.
  
  
  METHODS
  a cross-sectional, descriptive study; a stratified random sample of 903 elderly persons; a confidence level of 95%; and a margin of error of 2.5%. Questionnaire based on the International Classification of Functionality; data was collected based on structured interviews undertaken by health professionals in the health centers in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  30.7% of the elderly persons stated that they were illiterate, and 22.9% lived alone. Feeding/dietary (18.7%), housing (19.2%) and health needs (26.0%) were not met. Orientation functions were maintained in 83.4%; 58% of the elderly persons referred to pain so intense that it required care; 73.3% of the elderly persons did not have functional dentition. Levels of performance were superior to 80% in the participation activities: washing oneself (82.6%), toileting (92.2%), dressing, eating, and drinking (89%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  although a progressive decline in functionality is observed as age advances, the majority of dimensions are preserved until around 75 years of age.
authors: Escola Superior de Enfermagem de São João de Deus, Universidade de Évora, Portugal. mjl@uevora.pt
authors: Manuel José
authors: MJ
authors: Lopes
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Escoval
authors: Dulce Gamito
authors: DG
authors: Pereira
authors: Carla Sandra
authors: CS
authors: Pereira
authors: Catarina
authors: C
authors: Carvalho
authors: César
authors: C
authors: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires