[Elderly smokers and their health status in FANLTC study]

Epidemiological research proves that the number of the disabled, in the incidences of physical functions, carrying out of day-to-day activities, tackling psychological tasks and taking on social roles, increases along with ageing. Thus, there arises a need for new solutions in the area of positive ageing deprived of disability or functional distress. Smoking tobacco by the disabled elderly persons is a serious health and social disorders as a consequences may restrict their heath efficiency. Demographic and epidemiological data confirms increasing numbers of elderly, as well as the fact that aging is a continuous and unavoidable process, posing a major challenge for a society. Systematic growth of elderly populations leads to a need for analysis of the social and health issues facing them. Comprehension of the aging process strongly relates to the concept of health and its essence, which lies in a complete physical, psychological and social well-being. The goal of the study conducted among smoking disabled elderly persons was to generate information about their health, which was accomplished through a subjective evaluation of selected physical and psychological factors. The study was conducted among 54 patients without any recognized psychological problems (16 males, 38 females), ages 65-87 in a nursing/rehabilitation facility. During study, the FANLTC (version from North-Western Health Care-Illinois) was utilized, after an agreement authorizing its use. The questionnaire consisted of four subscales relating to: physical, social, emotional and functional states. In aspect of social functioning among patients, the study showed statistical relevance variable p = 0.05. The situation of the study subjects relating to their family and social life was unfavorable, because of lacking comfort and support from loved ones (family members and friends) in time of illness. Low estimation of health, suggesting the need for research, which should be further researched in expended studies, in order to verify the health of smoking disabled geriatric patients in nursing/rehabilitation facility.