The aging of the Brazilian population is concomitant along with increases in chronic non-transmittable diseases. Among these diseases are dementias, which have a great impact on individuals affected by cognitive decline and their families. This study forms part of the "SABE Study" (Health, Wellbeing and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean). The sample was composed of elderly people who presented scores of 12 or less in the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and 6 or more in the Pfeffer Functional Activity Questionnaire (PFAQ. The combination of these two instruments showed higher specificity for measuring more severe cognitive decline that suggested the presence of dementia and other associated disturbances. The objectives of this study were to present the results from SABE relating to performance in activities of daily living and domestic arrangements among elderly people with cognitive decline in the municipality of São Paulo, and to investigate how these arrangements contributed towards meeting the care needs of these dependent elderly people. The functional limitation was mainly related to instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). A majority of these elderly people were living within living arrangements involving the presence of their children; however, a considerable proportion were living alone. The help made available through the living arrangements often reached 100% of the IADL. However, among the basic activities of daily living (ADL), 100% was only reached in arrangements in which only the couple were living together. This showed that the demand for care was met in most cases, thus allowing the conclusion that, among elderly people with cognitive decline, the strongest evidence of the limitations presented is the factor that triggers greater offer of help.
Population Aging; Cognitive Decline; Domestic Arrangements; BADL; IADL; Project SABE
