Frailty in rural older adults: development of a care algorithm

Abstract

Objective:

To present a care algorithm for Frailty Syndrome in older adults.

Methods:

A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study with 820 people aged 60 years or more living in the rural area of the city of Pelotas in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data was collected from July to October 2014, using a semi-structured form. To assess frailty a self-reported instrument was used to obtain information from the older adult or their assistant/substitution respondent. Multiple Poisson Regression was used to analyze the associated factors. Through the identification of the associated factors, the care algorithm for the Frailty Syndrome was constructed.

Results:

43.4% of the older adults presented frailty. The factors associated with the frailty syndrome were low education level (PR:1.45; p<0.001); obesity (PR: 1.89, p=0.001), no physical activity practice (PR: 1.93, p<0.001); presence of cognitive deficit (PR: 2.07; p=0.002); bad health self-perception (PR: 8.21; p<0.001); fall in the last 12 months (PR: 1.70; p<0.001) and presence of disease and morbidity (PR: 2.22, p<0.014). These factors led to the elaboration of the care algorithm, which was structured in care for the non-frail, pre-frail and frail older adults.

Conclusion:

The importance of health professionals, especially nurses, in the identification of the profile and lifestyle of the older adults is highlighted. They are expected to intervene in the problems associated with frailty, using the frailty care algorithm as a guide to delay and prevent the progression of the syndrome.

Keywords
Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Elderly frail; Rural population