Abstract

Goals: To evaluate the degree of functional capacity of older people sequellated by leprosy. at the General Hospital Dr. Geraldo da Rocha, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

Methods: Cross-sectional qualitative-quantitative approach, using a form of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), complemented with sociodemographic information.

Results: the subjects were 34 older people, 21 women and 13 men. The female gender had a representation of 61.75% and the male of 38.25%. Of these older women, 33.33% were illiterate; in older males, this percentage was 61.54%. Questioned about the civil status, 23.81% of the older women and 23.08% of the older men affirmed to be married; 47.62% of the older women and 46.15% of the older men were widows. About economic situation 52.94% survived with 01 minimum wage. In relation to health status, 57.14% of the older women interviewed considered having good health, despite the sequelae left by leprosy, in contrast, only 38.46% of the older men reported having this same health status. In relation to memory, 61.90% of the older people stated that they had a good memory. Among the older people who participated in the survey 82.35% had a modified independence in relation to all daily activities. The greatest difficulty faced by these older people was to use public transportation for which 92.24 of older women and 100.00% of older men reported some degree of difficulty.

Conclusion: This study provides important basic information on the situation of older peoplesequellated or affected by leprosy at the Leprosy General Hospital Dr. Geraldo da Rocha and it can serve as a basis for managers at the hospital, municipal and state levels to make the necessary decisions that lead to an improvement in the quality of life of these older peopleaffected by this disease, institutionalized or not, in the same or different health conditions.

Keywords

older people, leprosy, functional capacity, progressive process, genetic nature, chronic diseases, biochemical alterations, personal hygiene, demographic, socioeconomic, cultural and psychosocial factors, epidemiological profile, physical disability, cognitive loss, peripheral nerves, causing pain and mutilation