Evaluation of the functionality and mobility of community-dwelling older adults in primary health care

Abstract Objective : To evaluate the functional capacity and mobility of older adults treated in primary health care and the association between adverse outcomes (functional dependence and reduced mobility) and sociodemographic and health conditions. Method : A cross-sectional and analytical epidemiological study was carried out in the municipal region of Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Sociodemographic variables, presence of comorbidities, practice of physical activity, functional capacity (Lawton Scale) and mobility (Timed Up and Go Test) were investigated. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, followed by bivariate analysis to investigate association variables and multivariate analysis (logistic regression). Results : Among the 109 elderly people evaluated, 29.4% were dependent in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and 67.9% had reduced mobility. The present study found a significant association between dependence in IADL and age equal to or greater than 75 years; while not practicing physical activity remained a factor of association with reduced mobility, regardless of sex, age and presence of co-morbidities. Conclusion : The findings emphasize the importance of the practice of physical activity, which was associated with better mobility, the construction of spaces of health promotion and disease prevention to encourage active aging for older adults, as well as a multi and interprofessional approach to comprehensive health care for older adults, with the use of functionality assessment tools