OBJECTIVES: To know the functioning of two groups of seniors (75-84 and >85 years) and its association with age and gender. METHODOLOGY: This is an observational, analytical and transversal study, with sample composed by elderly individuals with 75 years or older. Data concerned health condition and functioning pre morbidity status. Data collection instruments were a social and demographic characterization questionnaire and the Biopsychosocial Assessment Method. RESULTS: The study sample was composed of 262 elderly, with a mean age of 82,9 ± 4,86 years, and 161 individuals (61,5%) were women. The oldest old (>85 years) lived more isolated (p=0,020) and had fewer educational qualifications (p=0,027), showed greater limitations in climbing stairs (p=0,015), personal hygiene (p=0,008), and faecal continence (p=0,015) and in all instrumental activities (p<0,031). Women were more vulnerable at marital (p<0,001) and economic status (p=0,009), while men had worse results in falls (p=0,003) and risk factors (p<0,001). The functional status in mobility and daily activities was similar between the sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The oldest old studied had different social state variables vulnerability related to age and gender. However, the difference in functional variables vulnerability was only related to age. The oldest old had more difficulties in some activities, especially those that are instrumental.
Elderly; Mobility Limitation; Activities of Daily Living; Gender andHealth; Basic Activities of Daily Living; Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
