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  • Global geriatric evaluation of the Algarve population
    Publication . Braz, Nídia; Pais, Sandra; Cordeiro, Clara; Oliveira, Giovanna; Conde, Monserrat
    The ageing of population challenges communities to adapt and evolve to accommodate the needs of people that live longer (mostly out of work, either healthy, fragile or with chronic disease). Population ageing in the Algarve is higher than in overall Portugal. Studies on health conditions, frailty risk factors and elderly specific needs are undeveloped in Portugal and unknown in the Algarve. Objective To prepare a tool for Global Geriatric Evaluation, to be used in the “Survey of Health and Ageing in the Region of Algarve - SHARA”, a commitment to “European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing”. Methods A preliminary version of the screening tool, which includes well-known instruments to measure health condition (EASY-care), risk of fall (Tinetty), physical activity (Baecke’s modified questionnaire), nutritional condition (MNA), cognitive and depressive status (MMSE, Yesavage geriatric depression scale), together with socio-demographic characteristics, was applied to an independent sample of subjects from an elderly community centre - ARPI (“Associação de Reformados, Pensionistas e Idosos do Concelho de Faro”), with ages between 55 and 89. Results ARPI is mostly frequented by women, who either have risk of malnutrition or malnutrition incidence, a relevant risk of fall or are physically active. Those who live alone, show a higher risk of fall. Conclusions ARPI members are active, but with risk of malnutrition and fall, suggesting the relevance and importance of future interventions in these areas. The proposed screening tool showed to be adequate for the SHARA study, suitable to provide wider information on frailty.
  • Ageing, Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Activity – Evidence Based on the EQ-5D-5L
    Publication . Ferreira, Lara; Pais, Sandra; Ilchuk, Kateryna; Custódio Santos, Margarida
    As a result of increasingly senior populations worldwide, healthy ageing is becoming an important factor that can help reduce the burden of disease and disability and related healthcare costs. Previous research has shown that physical activity (PA) is crucial for healthier ageing and a better quality of life. This study sought to measure the PA and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people 55 years old or more. A sample of 202 senior adults completed a survey that comprised the EQ-5D-5L and other items assessing PA and activities of daily living (ADL) performance. Descriptive statistical analyses were carried out to characterise the sample and define its HRQoL. Non-parametric tests were used to compare the respondents' HRQoL according to sociodemographic variables and PA and ADL performance. The level of agreement between HRQoL and ADL scores was assessed using Spearman's rho. Sample subgroups were compared according to their age (i.e. nearly senior and senior) and sport and leisure time activities. Results show that HRQoL is lower for respondents with at least one diagnosed disease. Senior adults who take part in sport and leisure activities overall have a higher HRQoL, which is also impacted by the presence of at least one diagnosed disease and individuals' natural age-related issues. The results show the importance of preventing disease by helping senior adults engage in some level of PA given its impact on HRQoL. This research also confirmed that the EQ-5D-5L is a valid tool for measuring senior people's HRQoL.