Health multidimensional evaluation of institutionalized older adults according to cognitive performance

The assessment of living and health conditions of the institutionalized older adults contributes to the development of health promotion measures. The high prevalence of cognitive decline in this population leads to unfavorable health outcomes, which can be prevented and managed.

To investigate the health conditions of institutionalized older adults according to global cognitive performance.

Cross-sectional study of institutionalized older adults in Brasília, Distrito Federal (DF) and Salvador, Bahia (BA) using questionnaires on multidimensional health assessment and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Of the 185 residents, 86 were evaluated, with the majority of the sample composed of women and people aged 80 years old or older. Cognitive decline in the MMSE was associated with greater difficulties in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (62.5%). Lower performance on the MMSE was correlated with longer length of institutionalization (p=0.043), older age (p=0.004), poorer Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) (p=0.087), greater difficulty in ADL (p<0.001), and higher scores on the Bristol scale (p<0.001). Conversely, higher education (p<0.001), better scores on the Mini Nutritional Assessment (p=0.003), larger Calf Circumference (CC) (p=0.036), and Hand Grip Strength (HGS) (p=0.0467) were associated with better performance in the MMSE.

The cognitive performance of institutionalized older people is correlated with sociodemographic and health variables. These results are oriented toward the formulation of public health policies and care management.