Estado de salud y calidad de vida de un colectivo de ancianos institucionalizados

Resumen

espanolINTRODUCCION: El incremento de la esperanza de vida puede afectar a la calidad de vida, sobre la que tambien puede influir la necesidad de recurrir, en edades avanzadas, a una residencia geriatrica. OBJETO: Valoracion del estado de salud y de la calidad de vida, tal como la perciben los propios usuarios, de un colectivo de ancianos validos institucionalizados. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio descriptivo basado en la informacion obtenida de las historias clinicas individuales, los datos analiticos y una entrevista personal. RESULTADOS: Los valores analiticos de mas del 50% de la poblacion se encuentran incluidos en los intervalos de referencia, aunque el 96% padece alguna enfermedad cronica y el 79% presenta comorbilidad. Las enfermedades mas usuales en ambos sexos son las cardiovasculares, seguidas de las osteoarticulares, digestivas y neurologicas. Los grupos terapeuticos relacionados con estas patologias son los farmacos mas utilizados. El 76% califica de «regular» su estado de salud, tanto los que estan mas sanos (60%) como los que realmente padecen graves dolores o discapacidades (15%) y, aunque el 83% mantiene una buena capacidad fisica, aparte de ver television y conversar, se limita a pasear. CONCLUSIONES: En opinion de los residentes, la atencion sanitaria, las instalaciones y los servicios del centro son satisfactorios, aunque no estan conformes con los aspectos relativos a su alimentacion y el 81% considera que, globalmente, goza de una buena calidad de vida. EnglishINTRODUCTION: The increase that life expectancy had undergone can affect the people quality of life, that can also be influenced by the need at an advanced age to go to a geriatric home. OBJECT: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the health status and quality of life of a group of non disabled elderly people from a geriatric home. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study based on the data obtained from the individual clinical histories, analytical values and personal interviews. RESULTS: The analytical values of more than 50% of the people are in the reference ranges, although 96% of them are suffering from a chronic disease and 79% showed comorbility. In both sexes the most usual diseases are cardiovascular, followed by osteoarticular, digestive and neurological ones. The most widely used drugs belong to therapeutic groups related to these pathologies. The health status was qualified as average by 76% of the group, including both healthy individuals (60%) and those suffering severe pains and disabilities (15%), and although 83% maintained a good physical capacity, their activity apart from watching television and talking was limited to walking. CONCLUSIONS: According to the residents'' opinion the health care, facilities and social services at the home were stisfactory, although they did not agree with some aspects of the catering, and 81% of the group considered that, on the whole, they enjoyed of a good quality of life.