COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE, PHYSICAL CAPACITY AND FUNCTIONALITY IN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in life expectancy and a decrease in the mortality rate have resulted in a population increase, it is estimated that the number of people over 60 years of age can double, bringing with it functional, cognitive and physical alterations. . The aim was to determine the correlation between variables such as the level of physical capacity, functional dependence and cognitive deterioration of the elderly.

Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive observational study where participants over 65 years of age were randomly recruited during the year 2018.

Results: The sample was 3030 with a mean age of 75 years (SD 7.57), 77.55% were female. Disability categorized as auditory, motor and visual was obtained in 20%, 9% and 23% respectively, the category of schooling was the majority for cases without any level of schooling (n: 120). A level of significance was obtained that presumes concordance between variables (p<0.05) with r=0.113 for MMSE vs BI and r=0.310 for MMSE vs SPPB. Data that according to the correlation coefficient were positive, direct and between the low to moderate ranking.

Conclusions: There is a relationship between functional capacity, the degree of cognitive impairment, as well as the degree of functional independence, evaluated by questionnaires or tests. The results of this study postulate a paradigm shift, generating an evaluative approach where the largest number of variables is integrated.