Elderly who match certain demographic, social and economic criteria are especially vulnerable to illness, disability and death. The study was developed in order to both identify vulnerable elderly according to specific criteria and compare vulnerable and non-vulnerable elderly with their need for assistance with activities. This cross-sectional study had its data collected in the household of 190 elderly users of a School Health Center. It took place between 2006 and 2008, through the application of the CICAc Instrument: classification of the aged concerning self-care ability. One hundred and forty-five elderly (80%) were under at least one risk criterion; 99 (52.1%) reported one difficulty or more in basic activities, and 29 (29.3%) of them require assistance; 92 (48.4%) elderly mention difficulties in instrumental activities and 67 (72.8%) require assistance. Only 16 (8.4%) adopt self-care practices to minimize their difficulties and 38 (20%) adopt them to compensate just part of their difficulties. The elderly group that is under at least one risk criterion has a higher proportion of individuals who require assistance with basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Further analysis may verify the influence of each criterion on the functionality. Carrying out research on self-care practices with a larger number of individuals will allow a comparison between groups that make or do not make use of these practices and match risk criteria. Despite the limitations of the study, it gives rise to the planning of interventions for the elderly that have difficulties and need assistance with their activities.
Aged; Health Promotion; Self Care; Social Support; Activities of Daily Living
