Related Experiment Videos
Life situation and function in elderly people with and without leg ulcers
Ulla Wissing1, A-C Ek, M Unosson
1Department of Medicine and Care, Division of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Campus Norrköping, 60174 Norrköping, Sweden. ulla.wissing@hul.liu.se
Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences
|May 3, 2002
Summary
Elderly individuals with leg ulcers experience a poorer quality of life, impacting their daily activities and overall well-being. These patients require significant healthcare support for wound management.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Wound Care
- Public Health
Background:
- Elderly individuals with leg ulcers often receive care at home within primary healthcare systems.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the daily life management and behavioral aspects of these patients.
- Assessing the life situation of elderly patients with leg ulcers is crucial for improving care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the life situation of elderly patients with leg ulcers to that of their peers without ulcers.
- To identify specific domains of life affected by the presence of leg ulcers in the elderly population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Multilevel Assessment Instrument (PGC MAI) for assessment.
- Compared 70 elderly patients with leg ulcers (mean age 79) against 74 elderly individuals without ulcers (mean age 80).
Main Results:
- Patients with leg ulcers demonstrated significantly lower scores in physical health, daily living activities (ADL), cognition, social behavior, personal adjustment, and environmental quality.
- Sixty-three percent of patients reported ulcer-related pain.
- All patients required professional assistance for wound dressing changes.
Conclusions:
- Elderly individuals with leg ulcers face a diminished life situation compared to those without ulcers.
- Leg ulcers contribute to increased vulnerability and reduced functional capacity in the elderly.
- Findings highlight the need for comprehensive support systems for elderly leg ulcer patients.