Mental status and functional abilities: change in institutionalized elderly women

A study of 40 institutionalized elderly women was undertaken to determine if changes occurred in mental status and functional abilities over the course of 1 year. Although a number of studies examine factors that impact on successful adaptation in persons admitted to long-term care facilities, the longitudinal changes on functional abilities and mental status have not been addressed. These variables were examined in relation to the concept of self-care, which has been applied to the elderly only recently. Findings indicate a decline in mental status and an increase in functional dependency. Nursing implications and questions that merit further study in the area of self-care are presented.