Evaluation of dependency of elderly in a geriatric ward: effects of hospitalization

OBJECTIVES: To describe the degree of dependence of elderly according to the Patient Classification System (PCS) proposed by Fugulin et al. in order to analyse the difference at the time of admission and discharge. METHODS: A descriptive, exploratory, quantitative cross-sectional search. RESULTS: All together 105 records were evaluated, 54 men and 51 women, with the mean age of 83 years. Relating the results of elderly dependence of admission and exit 61 maintained dependence (58%), 8 progressed to lower dependence (7.6%) and 36 to greater dependence (34.2%). Those who maintained the degree of dependence between entry and output, 50 were discharged (81%) and 11 died (18%). Those who improved 100% (8) were discharged. But among the worsened 20 (55.5%) were discharged and 16 died (41.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The results corroborate with other studies that also relate to greater dependency of elderlies when there is a need of hospitalization. In order to this reality to be controlled, it is needed an extra care in elderly hospitalization admission, preventing that in a moment of weakness, they could lose their independence, autonomy and quality of life.