Analysis of functional risk and sociofamily deterioration in hospitalized elderly patients

Abstract

Introduction: The older adult is a vulnerable person clinically, biologically, emotionally and socially. The aim of this tudy is to identify prevalence of functional deterioration risk, loss of autonomy and socio-familial vulnerability in elderly people hospitalized in a healthcare institution. Methodology: A cross-sectional design with patients >65 years hospitalized in a healthcare institution was conducted. We excluded inpatients in the intensive care unit, surgical, oncological or psychiatric wards. Measurement instruments were applied through an interview by social workers previous training and standardization in the interview technique. We used the functional impairment risk scale (HARP) and simplified and abbreviated version of the socio-family assessment scale of GIJÓN. Results: We consecutively evaluated 981 patients during a period of nine months in the adult hospitalization service. The average age of the group was 78 years with higher prevalence of women (63%) and high frequency of married (71%) and retired workers or pensioners (82%). 7.5% of patients were discharge to home hospitalization program. The prevalence of functional impairment risk (HARP) was 50%, with greater commitment in the group of 85+ years (74%). The evaluation of GIJÓN scale identified limitation of social and family resources in 4%. Discussion: HARP and GIJÓN scales are instruments easy to apply and complement clinical assessment of hospitalized elderly. For users attention departments and social hospital assistance, they constitute a quality standard given that they allow knowing other dimensions such as the social, family, neuropsychological, and in some cases environmental, in pursuit of comprehensive care.