Functional capacity and life expectancy in elderly quilombolas

A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study involving fifty-nine older adults from the quilombola community of Curiaú, Macapá-Amapá. A sociodemographic form was used to characterize the sample, and Lawton’s and Herth’s Hope Scales were used to measuring functional capacity and life expectancy, respectively. In the relationship study, the Spearman correlation test was applied.

Results:

Elderly males aged 60-69 years (52.5%) and married (35.6%) prevailed. Functional capacity had a mean score of 22.4 (± 4.6) and a life expectancy of 41.5 (± 5.1), the correlation between the scale scores was positive and significant (R = 0.475; p <0.001).

Conclusion:

From the results concluded, when related levels of independence and life expectancy among themselves were significantly associated with being functionally independent elderly and having a better life expectancy.

Descriptors:
Elderly; Functional Capacity; Life Expectancy; Nursing; Group with Ancestors of the African Continent

Variables		n	%
Gender	Male	31	52.5
	Female	28	47.5
Age	60 to 69 years old	31	52.5
Minimum = 60	70 to 79 years old	15	25.4
Maximum = 99	80 to 89 years old	12	20.3
Mean (SD) = 70.6 (9.1)	90 to 99 years old	1	1.8
Marital Status	Single	8	13.6
	Married	21	35.6
	Divorced	2	3.4
	Stable Union	13	22.0
	Widower	15	25.4
Schooling	None	8	13.6
	1 to 3 years	26	44. 0
	4 to 7 years	22	37.3
	8 years or more	3	5.1
Family Income	<1minimum wage	2	3.4
	1 to 3 minimum wages	55	93.2
	4 to 6 minimum wages	2	3.4
Religion	Catholicism	57	96.6
	Evangelicalism	2	3.4
Lives with family	No	12	20.3
	Yes	47	79.7
Diabetes Mellitus	No	49	83.1
	Yes	10	16.9
Systemic Arterial Hypertension	No	31	52.5
	Yes	28	47.5

Lawton Scale	Unable %	Do it with partial help%	Can do it without help%
1. Can you use the phone?	40.7	54.2	5.1
2. Can you go to distant places, using transportation, without the need for special planning?	11.9	20.3	67.8
3. Can you go shopping?	16.9	10.2	72.9
4. Can you prepare your meals?	13.6	1.7	84.7
5. Can you clean up the house?	16.9	5.1	78.0
6. Can you do household work, such as minor repairs?	16.9	11.9	71.2
7. Can you wash and iron your clothes?	18.6	16.9	64.4
8. Can you take your medication at the correct dose and time?	6.8	22.0	71.2
9. Can you take care of your finances?	11.9	13.6	74.6

Herth Hope Scale	Completely disagree%	Disagree%	Agree%	Strongly Agree%
1. I'm optimistic about life	8.5	6.8	11.9	72.8
2. I have short and long term plans	28.8	11.9	32.2	27.1
3. I feel very alone	57.6	8.5	15.3	18.6
4. I can see possibilities amid difficulties	10.1	15.3	40.7	33.9
5. I have a faith that comforts me	1.7%	1.7%	8.5	88.1
6. I'm afraid of my future	76.2	11.9	5.1	6.8
7. I can remember happy and pleasant times	8.5	5.1	6.8	79.6
8. I feel strong	5.1	6.8	13.6	74.5
9. I feel capable of giving and receiving affection/love	1.7	0.0	13.6	84.7
10. I know where I want to go	11.9	10.2	15.3	62.6
11. I believe in the value of each day	0.0	0.0	15.3	84.7
12. I feel that my life has value and utility	0.0	0.0	8.5	91.5

Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem SGA Norte Quadra 603 Conj. "B" - Av. L2 Norte 70830-102 Brasília, DF, Brasil, Tel.: (55 61) 3226-0653, Fax: (55 61) 3225-4473 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: reben@abennacional.org.br

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[1] Corresponding author: Francineide Pereira da Silva Pena. E-mail: fran14pena@gmail.com