The aim of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to assess the functional independence of long-living elderly at the time of hospitalization. The study was conducted in two teaching hospitals, in the period between January and June of 2011, with 116 long-living elderly. The Functional Independence Measure Scale was applied for data collection and data analyses were performed using descriptive statistics. The score of the total Functional Independence Measure varied from 48 to 126, with a mean of 105.9% (±17.9), which represents functional independence. The motor Functional Independence Measurement of 30 to 91 (77.3%; ±14.5) and the social/cognitive Functional Independence Measurement of 18 to 35 (28.6%; ±4.9). At the hospital admission, the long-living elderly appeared to be independent in all of the Functional Independence Measurement domains. Knowing the functional capacity is essential to plan care throughout the entire hospitalization process.
Aged 80 and over; Longevity; Hospitalization; Geriatric nursing