4/2007Functional status of old people depending on the type of their impairments

ELŻBIETA GROCHANS (Samodzielna Pracownia Propedeutyki Nauk Pielęgniarskich Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie;Kierownik: dr n. med. Elżbieta Grochans)

Background
Functioning of an old patient depends on whether he/she suffers from dysfunction of various organs, has coexisting diseases or any kind of impairment. The aim of this study was to assess how old people cope with everyday life depending on the type of impairments they have.

Material and methods
The surveyed group consisted of 197 individuals. In the study, method of diagnostic survey was used with a questionnaire as a research tool (author’s own design). The level of independence, general
functioning and ability to take care of oneself were examined in respondents during the first days of their hospitalization; the mentioned elements were assessed by means of Barthel Scale.

Results
The most numerous group was composed of the patients who needed only some help (70.57%), respondents who were completely dependent on others came in second (16.24%), and the group of independent patients was the third one (13.19%).

Key words: impairment, Barthel Scale, elderly people