Analysis of violence against older adults in police reports.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a historical series of cases of elder abuse as described in police reports. METHOD: Descriptive, retrospective and documentary study based on police reports issued at the older adult police department whose information was collected through an instrument developed by the researchers. RESULTS: Five categories were identified: 1 - physical violence; 2 - violence report; 3 - psychological violence; 4 - habits related to psychoactive substance use; 5 - reasons for violence. CONCLUSION: Elder abuse is a complex issue that requires intervention on the part of nurses by the report of incidents and provision of support to the victim.

Fall and its association with the frailty syndrome in the elderly: systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of falls and frailty syndrome and the association between these two syndromes in the elderly population. METHOD: Systematic review, without restriction of dates, in English, Portuguese and Spanish languages, in the databases PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS and in the SciElo virtual library. The association between both variables was extracted from the studies (Odds Ratio and 95% Confidence Intervals). RESULTS: The review included 19 studies published between 2001 and 2015. The prevalence of falls in the frail elderly population was between 6.7% and 44%; in the pre-frail, between 10.0% and 52.0%, and in the non-frail, between 7.6% and 90.4%. The association between both variables presented a value of OR 1.80 (95% CI 1.51-2.13). CONCLUSION: There is evidence that falls are associated to the frailty in the elderly. Other factors may influence this association, such as age, sex, data collection instrument of the studies, place where they live and the process of senescence. OBJETIVO: Analisar a prevalência de quedas e da síndrome da fragilidade e a associação entre essas duas síndromes na população idosa. MÉTODO: Revisão sistemática, sem restrição de datas, nos idiomas inglês, português e espanhol, nas bases de dados PubMed, CINAHL, LILACS e na biblioteca virtual SciElo. A associação entre ambas as variáveis foi extraída dos próprios artigos (Odds Ratio e os Intervalos de Confiança de 95%). RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos na revisão 19 artigos publicados entre 2001 e 2015. A prevalência de queda no idoso frágil esteve entre 6,7% e 44%; nos pré-frágeis, entre 10,0% e 52,0%, e nos não frágeis, entre 7,6% e 90,4%. A associação entre ambas as variáveis apresentou o valor de OR 1,80 (IC 95% 1,51-2,13). CONCLUSÃO: Há evidências de que a queda está associada à fragilidade do idoso. Outros fatores podem influenciar essa associação, como idade, sexo, instrumento de coleta de dados dos estudos, local onde vive e o próprio processo de senescência.

Home-based educational interventions for family caregivers of older adults after stroke: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To map home-based educational interventions for family caregivers of older adults after stroke. METHOD: Scoping review based on the JBI methodology, carried out on May 23, 2023. The Rayyan application and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews were used. RESULTS: Of the 1,705 studies, nine published from 2006 to 2020 were included: 44% of interventions were theoretical-practical educational; 77.7% were randomized clinical trials; and the "in-person" intervention (56%) was the most common, carried out by nurses in 88.9% of cases. Three to 15 42-minute sessions were carried out. The educational contents were organized into ten categories, divided into education aimed at caring for older adults and self-care for caregivers. CONCLUSION: Identified educational interventions strengthen participants' knowledge and skills in areas such as education, care, communication, self-management, rehabilitation and nutrition as well as self-care to safely assist older adults in their activities of daily living.

Attitudes and perceptions about ageism among nursing students: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: to map scientific knowledge on nursing students' attitudes and perceptions regarding ageism. METHOD: scoping review according to the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The study question was: What are scientific evidence available on the attitudes and perceptions of nursing students regarding ageism? The search was conducted in 12 databases using the Rayyan application and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. The studies were selected by two reviewers using a data extraction tool. RESULTS: of the 4,595 files, 46 that were published between 1984 and 2022 were selected, and the quantitative method was the most used. The most commonly used instrument was the Kogan's Attitudes Toward Old People Scale. Positive, negative, mixed, neutral, and inconclusive attitudes and perceptions were identified. CONCLUSION: attitudes and perceptions about ageism are diverse and not conclusive. Future intervention studies are recommended to detect changes in the behavior of nursing students in the face of ageism. BACKGROUND: (1) Attitudes and perceptions about ageism are diverse and not conclusive. BACKGROUND: (2) Importance of discussing ageism in the training of nursing students. BACKGROUND: (3) Intervention studies to identify paradigm shifts in nursing students.

Clinical validation of the nursing diagnosis "Fall risk in adults (00303)" in elderly people in the community-dwelling.

PURPOSE: To identify the risk factors for the nursing diagnosis of fall risk in adults (00303) in elderly people in the community-dwelling. METHOD: This is a methodological study, with a quantitative approach, carried out with elderly people living in the city of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, from February to December 2018. For data collection, the demographic profile, Mini-Mental State Examination, diseases self-reported, functional independence measure, Lawton and Brody scale, geriatric depression scale, and self-perception of gait instruments were used. Tests of accuracy and association of risk factors with p ≤ 0.05 were performed. FINDINGS: A total of 262 elderly people, aged over 80 years (55.7%), 71% of which were female and 42.7% were widowed, were included in the sample. A total of 82.1% had vascular diseases, 72.1% had diabetes, and 20.6% had depression. The predominant risk factors were difficulty performing instrumental activities of daily living (58.8%), cognitive dysfunction (43.5%), and depressive symptoms (26.3%). Difficulty performing instrumental activities of daily living had a sensitivity greater than 60%. The positive and negative predictive values were mostly greater than 50%. In the regression analysis, it was found that the elderly have a higher risk of suffering a fall if they present anxiety (p = 0.05), impaired physical mobility (p = 0.02), and difficulty to perform instrumental activities of daily living as risk factors (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: It was possible to identify the presence of risk factors for the diagnosis fall risk in adults (00303) in the clinical context of the elderly in home settings and contribute to the clinical validation of the taxonomy, increase the evidence and importance of the diagnosis, and generate new knowledge for gerontological nursing. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: To help nurses identify risk factors that lead elderly people to suffer falls at home and to implement preventive actions in their community with the support of their families.

OBJETIVO: Identificar os fatores de risco para o diagnóstico de enfermagem Risco de Quedas em adultos (00303) em idosos do domicílio. MÉTODO: Trata­se de um estudo metodológico, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com idosos residentes na cidade de Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil, no período de fevereiro a dezembro de 2018. Para coleta de dados foram utilizados instrumentos de perfil sociodemográfico, Mini exame do Estado Mental, doenças autorreferidas, Medida de Independência Funcional, Escala de Lawton e Brody, Escala de Depressão Geriátrica e autopercepção da marcha. Foram realizados testes de acurácia e associação de fatores de risco com p ≤ 0,05. RESULTADOS: Participaram 262 idosos, com idade superior a 80 anos (55,7%), sendo 71% do sexo feminino e 42,7% viúvos. Um total de 82,1% tinha doenças vasculares, 72,1% tinham diabetes e 20,6% tinham depressão. Os fatores de risco predominantes foram dificuldade para realizar atividades instrumentais de vida diária (58,8%), déficit cognitivo (43,5%) e sintomas depressivos (26,3%). A dificuldade para realizar atividades instrumentais da vida diária apresentou sensibilidade superior a 60%. Os valores preditivos positivos e negativos foram em sua maioria superiores a 50%. Na análise de regressão constatou­se que os idosos apresentam maior risco de sofrer queda se apresentarem Ansiedade (p = 0,05), Mobilidade física prejudicada (p = 0,02) e Dificuldade para realizar atividades instrumentais de vida diária (p = 0,03). CONCLUSÃO: Foi possível identificar a presença de fatores de risco para o diagnóstico Risco de queda em adultos (00303) no contexto clínico do idoso em ambiente domiciliar e contribuir para a validação clínica da taxonomia, aumentar a evidência e a importância do diagnóstico e gerar novos conhecimentos para a enfermagem gerontológica. IMPLICAÇÕES PARA A PRÁTICA DE ENFERMAGEM: Ajudar os enfermeiros a identificar os fatores de risco que levam os idosos a sofrer quedas no domicílio e a implementar ações preventivas na sua comunidade com o apoio dos seus familiares.

[Burden on caregivers of elderly victims of cerebrovascular accident]. / Sobrecarga dos cuidadores de idosos com acidente vascular cerebral.

The aim was to assess the burden on caregivers of elderly victims of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and to correlate it with care hours, the elderly people's age and functional independence. This cross-sectional study counted the participation of 62 elderly individuals with CVA and their caregivers. The instrument used contained socio-demographic and economic variables, the Mini-Mental Status Examination, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Zarit Scale. The possible correlations between the Zarit scale scores and the other variables were assessed using Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. Most caregivers were adults, children of the victims, married, and female. The mean Zarit score was 34.92(15.8). The FIM showed a negative correlation with caregiver burden, but no correlation with age and number of care hours. The burden on most of the caregivers ranged from moderate to severe and seems to be related to the level of functional independency of the elderly.

Association between Sarcopenia, Falls, and Cognitive Impairment in Older People: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

With the aging process, elderly people present changes in their bodies that can lead them to suffer several geriatric syndromes. The present study aimed to analyze and synthesize the literature produced concerning the association of sarcopenia with falls in elderly people with cognitive impairment. This is a systematic review study on etiology and risk, conducted according to the JBI methodology using the Medline (Pubmed), Cinahl, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The gray literature search was conducted in the CAPES Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, Google Scholar, Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD), EBSCO Open Dissertations, DART-e, and ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication. The identification of the association between the variables was extracted from the articles themselves (Odds Ratio and the 95% Confidence Intervals). Four articles published between 2012 and 2021 were included in this review. A prevalence of falls was identified, ranging from 14.2% to 23.1%, of cognitive impairment ranging from 24.1% to 60.8%, and of sarcopenia ranging from 6.1 to 26.6%. The meta-analysis found that elderly people with cognitive impairment who suffer falls are at a 1.88 times greater risk of presenting sarcopenia (p = 0.01). There is evidence of an association between the variables, but it is necessary to conduct follow-up studies to support this association as well as other factors that may influence the senescence and senility process.

COVID-19 Infodemic and Impacts on the Mental Health of Older People: Cross-sectional Multicenter Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic received widespread media coverage due to its novelty, an early lack of data, and the rapid rise in deaths and cases. This excessive coverage created a secondary "infodemic" that was considered to be a serious public and mental health problem by the World Health Organization and the international scientific community. The infodemic particularly affected older individuals, specifically those who are vulnerable to misinformation due to political positions, low interpretive and critical analysis capacity, and limited technical-scientific knowledge. Thus, it is important to understand older people's reaction to COVID-19 information disseminated by the media and the effect on their lives and mental health. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the profile of exposure to COVID-19 information among older Brazilian individuals and the impact on their mental health, perceived stress, and the presence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). METHODS: This cross-sectional, exploratory study surveyed 3307 older Brazilians via the web, social networks, and email between July 2020 and March 2021. Descriptive analysis and bivariate analysis were performed to estimate associations of interest. RESULTS: Major proportions of the 3307 participants were aged 60 to 64 years (n=1285, 38.9%), female (n=2250, 68.4%), and married (n=1835, 55.5%) and self-identified as White (n=2364, 71.5%). Only 295 (8.9%) had never started or completed a basic education. COVID-19 information was mainly accessed on television (n=2680, 81.1%) and social networks (n=1943, 58.8%). Television exposure was ≥3 hours in 1301 (39.3%) participants, social network use was 2 to 5 hours in 1084 (32.8%) participants, and radio exposure was ≥1 hour in 1223 (37%) participants. Frequency of exposure to social networks was significantly associated with perceived stress (P=.04) and GAD (P=.01). A Bonferroni post hoc test revealed significantly different perceived stress in participants who were exposed to social networks for 1 hour (P=.04) and those who had no exposure (P=.04). A crude linear regression showed that "some" social media use (P=.02) and 1 hour of exposure to social media (P<.001) were associated with perceived stress. Adjusting for sociodemographic variables revealed no associations with this outcome variable. In a crude logistic regression, some social media use (P<.001) and 2 to 5 hours of exposure to social media (P=.03) were associated with GAD. Adjusting for the indicated variables showed that some social network use (P<.001) and 1 hour (P=.04) and 2 to 5 hours (P=.03) of exposure to social media were associated with GAD. CONCLUSIONS: Older people, especially women, were often exposed to COVID-19-related information through television and social networks; this affected their mental health, specifically GAD and stress. Thus, the impact of the infodemic should be considered during anamnesis for older people, so that they can share their feelings about it and receive appropriate psychosocial care.

Quality of life related to functional dependence, family functioning and social support in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the relationship between quality of life and functional dependence, family functioning and social support in older adults in northeastern Mexico. METHOD: this is a quantitative, descriptive and analytical study, with 205 older adults. The Barthel Index, Lawton and Brody Scale, APGAR test, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and WHOQOL-BREF were applied. RESULTS: the physical, psychological and social dimensions of quality of life are related to functional capacity, family functioning and social support (p< 0.05). Functional capacity and social support predict physical and psychological quality of life. Basic activities, family function and social support predict social quality of life. Instrumental activities and social support predict environmental quality of life. CONCLUSION: quality of life depends on functional independence, family function and positive perceived health. Independence in basic activities and adequate social support improve physical quality of life. Being independent in basic activities and social support improve psychological quality of life. When presenting a decrease in independence in instrumental activities, perceived quality of life decreases.

Development and semantic validation of an instrument for the assessment of knowledge and attitudes towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Develop and semantically validate an instrument to assess the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: Validation study of an instrument to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents towards CPR, developed in three phases: (i) development of the evaluation instruments by the authors; (ii) content validation performed by 14 expert judges in the area using the content validity index for analysis; and (iii) semantic validation carried out with the participation of 30 adolescents between 11 and 13 years old. RESULTS: In the content validation, the questions on CPR knowledge obtained a content validity index (CVI) between 0.92 and 1.00, with a general index of 0.98; and the questions about attitudes obtained an IVC between 0.85 and 1.00, with a general index also of 0.98. Regarding semantic validation, three questions were modified in the knowledge assessment instruments and five in the attitude assessment instrument. CONCLUSIONS: Semantic and content validation of the instruments studied showed that they are suitable for assessing the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents related to CPR, so their use is recommended in the evaluation of training actions in this population group.

The role of assessment in competence-based gerontological advanced practice nursing.

Population aging challenges healthcare systems, requiring gerontological advanced practice nurses (GAPN) to address specific and complex care requirements of older adults. GAPN implement evidence-based practices directed to patients and families, focusing on health promotion and protection, disease prevention, recovery, and rehabilitation. In competence-based gerontological advanced practice, comprehensive geriatric assessment is essential for implementing the care plan. In this theoretical essay we reflect about the role of assessment in competence-based advanced nursing practice directed to the care of older adults. From our perspective, geriatric assessment for a high-quality practice must be comprehensive, multidimensional, interdisciplinary, and planned. GAPN must have solid competencies for clinical skills and caring practices; education for health literacy; collaborative care; system management for continuity of care; ethics, advocacy, and moral agency; and evidenced-based practice inquiry. Gerontological models of care and GAPN competencies serve as frameworks to guide practice while assessment is fundamental for providing age-friendly care to older adults.

Factors Associated With the Illness of Nursing Professionals Caused by COVID-19 in Three University Hospitals in Brazil.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has demonstrated the importance of implementing strategic management that prioritizes the safety of frontline nurse professionals. In this sense, this research was aimed at identifying factors associated with the illness of nursing professionals caused by COVID-19 according to socio-demographic, clinical, and labor variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three Brazilian university hospitals with 859 nursing professionals, which include nurses, technicians, and nursing assistants, between November 2020 and February 2021. We present data using absolute and relative frequency. We used Chi-square test for hypothesis testing and multiple logistic regression for predictive analysis and chances of occurrence. Results: The rate of nursing professionals affected by COVID-19 was 41.8%, and the factors associated with contamination were the number of people in the same household with COVID-19 and obesity. Being a nurse was a protective factor when the entire nursing team was considered. The model is significant, and its variables represent 56.61% of the occurrence of COVID-19 in nursing professionals. Conclusion: Obesity and living in the same household as other people affected by COVID-19 increases the risk of contamination by this new coronavirus.

The Mental Health of the Peruvian Older Adult during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the pandemic, the elderly population was the most exposed to disease and changes in their daily lives. The objective was to determine the association between demographic factors, access to health services, sources of information, and physical symptoms in the mental health of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic-a study with 3828 older adults residing in nine cities in Peru. The data was collected using a web-based survey, and the instruments of demographic data; exposure to information (radio, television, and internet); and presence of physical symptoms, anxiety, and perceived stress were used. Descriptive and analytical analysis was performed. Female sex, those aged between 60 and 79 years old, those with secondary education, those in their own home, those residing in an urban area, and those using public services of health predominated in this study. Likewise, 62.9% presented depressive symptoms; on the stress scale, an average of 27.81 (SD = 8.71), and on the anxiety scale, an average of 27.24 (SD = 6.04). Moreover, 65.1% reported fatigue, 62.2% had a headache, and 61.2% lack of energy. There is an association between demographic variables and the physical and psychological symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in the elderly during the pandemic.

Infodemic of covid-19 and repercussions on the mental health of the elderly from São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and identify depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress associated with the COVID-19 Infodemic in the elderly from São Paulo. METHOD: Exploratory and cross-sectional study with the elderly in the capital of São Paulo who had internet access. The sociodemographic profile, the COVID-19 infodemic, depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 411 older people participated in the study. There was a predominance of women (76.4%), with higher education (57.9%), using private health services, and with little income variation. Older people were more exposed to news or information about COVID-19 on the internet (45.3%), followed by television (34.5%), and radio (11.4%). The average stress was 19.96 points; 33.1% had anxiety, and 39.7% had depressive symptoms. The greater the number of people living with the elderly, the greater the stress (p = 0.001) and anxiety (p = 0.02). The hours of exposure to information on the internet led to stress (p = 0.001), depressive symptoms (p = 0.02), and anxiety (p = 0.02) in the elderly. CONCLUSION: During the pandemic, exposure to information on the internet triggered anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms in the elderly. The findings highlight the need for multi and interdisciplinary interventions to mitigate such repercussions on the elderly's health.

Factors associated with infection and hospitalization due to COVID-19 in Nursing professionals: a cross-sectional study. / Fatores associados à contaminação e internação hospitalar por COVID-19 em profissionais de enfermagem: estudo transversal.

OBJECTIVE: to identify factors associated with infection and hospitalization due to COVID-19 in nursing professionals. METHOD: a cross-sectional study carried out with 415 nursing professionals in a hospital specialized in cardiology. The sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, working conditions and issues related to illness due to COVID-19 were evaluated. Chi-Square, Fisher's, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and Brunner Munzel tests were used in data analysis, as well as Odds Ratio for hospitalization, in addition to binary logistic regression. RESULTS: the rate of nursing professionals affected by COVID-19 was 44.3% and the factors associated with infection were the number of people living in the same household infected by COVID-19 (OR 36.18; p<0.001) and use of public transportation (OR 2.70; p=0.044). Having severe symptoms (OR 29.75), belonging to the risk group (OR 3.00), having tachypnea (OR 6.48), shortness of breath (OR 5.83), tiredness (OR 4.64), fever (OR 4.41) and/or myalgia (OR 3.00) increased the chances of hospitalization in professionals with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: living in the same household as other people with the disease and using public transportation increased the risk of infection by the new coronavirus. The factors associated with the hospitalization of contaminated professionals were presence of risk factors for the disease, severity and type of the symptoms presented.

Spatial analysis of elder abuse in a Brazilian municipality.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the spatial distribution of elder abuse in Ribeirão Preto-SP, according to victims' place of residence and event. METHOD: an ecological study that analyzed 1,153 elder abuse police reports (2009 to 2013). Local gross and empirical Bayesian rates and Local Moran's I were calculated. RESULTS: there was a heterogeneous distribution of concentration of sectors with a high incidence rate surrounded by neighbors with also high rates, considering place of residence. In contrast, analysis by place of occurrence showed a greater concentration in the central areas of the municipality. More than 80% of cases of violence occurred at their own homes and with spatial dependence on distribution by occurrence up to a 5,000 m distance from their places of residence. CONCLUSION: data reinforce that violence is a complex phenomenon, affecting several social strata, including in central urban areas and in elderly people families' own context.

Caregiver overload and factors associated with care provided to patients under palliative care.

OBJECTIVES: To identify overload and associated factors among caregivers of adult patients receiving palliative care. METHODS: Descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional study addressing 40 adults under palliative care and their respective caregivers enrolled in the Home Care System in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Data concerning the patients included demographic profile and Mini-Mental State Examination. A form was used to collect the caregivers' demographic data along with the Zarit Burden Interview Scale, Self-Reporting Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and Coping Strategies Inventory. RESULTS: Regarding the patients, 84.2% were women, 52.6% were over 80, 65.8% had no partner, and 76.3% presented cognitive impairment. The caregivers were mostly women (84.5%), aged 56.67 years old on average, were the patients' children (42.5%); had no partner (55%), and lived with the patient (77.5%). The mean score obtained in the burden scale was 28.78 points, 32.5% had stress, and 42.5% depression. Regarding coping strategies, the ones most frequently used were positive reappraisal (12.8), withdrawal (10.2), and problem solution (9.7). A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between time spent with care (days and hours) and escape/avoidance with overload. Linear regression analysis revealed an association between being a woman (p=0.002), number of days spent with care (p=0.004), and depression (p<0.001) with overload. CONCLUSIONS: Being a woman, spending more days providing care, and depressive symptoms were associated with caregiver overload.

Frailty and sociodemographic and health factors, and social support network in the brazilian elderly: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze the sociodemographic and health factors and the social support network of the elderly associated with frailty in the assessments carried out between 2007/2008 and 2018. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study with elderly people aged ≥65 years living in the community. The instruments used were those for Demographic Profile, the Mini Mental State Examination, the Functional Independence Measure, Lawton and Brody Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Minimum Relationship Map for the Elderly, and Edmonton Frail Scale. Descriptive analysis and linear regression were used, all tests with p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 189 elderly in the study period (2007/2008-2018), most were 80 years old and over, with an average of 82.31 years old; they were women, with no partner, who lived with other family members and were retired. In the final analysis, regardless of age and sex, a decrease in functional independence, an increase in depressive symptoms, an increase in the number of self-reported illnesses, and an increase in the frailty score were observed. CONCLUSION: The factors that were associated with the increase in frailty of the elderly during the study period were age, female sex, and no partner. The health team, which includes nurses, shall be aware of changes and develop care plans to prevent or avoid their progression.

Treatment adherence and frailty syndrome in hypertensive older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between adherence to antihypertensive treatment and frailty syndrome in hypertensive older adults. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach with older adults. The data collection took place between November 2017 and March 2018, evaluating sociodemographic information, adherence to antihypertensive treatment, lifestyle and frailty through the Edmonton Frail Scale. The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Chi-squared test were used for data analysis, considering a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: There were 193 older adults who participated in the study. The average age was 80.94 (sd ± 7.17) years, with a predominance of females (72%) and widows (43.5%). The factors which were associated with adherence to treatment were diastolic blood pressure, education and the time that the older adult had smoked (p<0.05). Frailty was not associated with treatment adherence levels (p=0.095). CONCLUSION: There was no association between frailty scores and control of arterial hypertension; however, adequate monitoring and nursing care are essential in assessing adherence to treatment in order to reduce the aggravations of the disease and frailty syndrome development.

Hospital care for elderly COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the newspaper articles on hospital care for elderly COVID-19 patients in online newspapers. METHOD: documentary, retrospective, descriptive and exploratory research. The data were collected from articles published on open-access websites of 12 newspapers from the following countries: Brazil, Spain, United States, France, Italy and Portugal. RESULTS: out of 4,220 newspaper articles identified in this regard, 101 were selected after applying the inclusion criteria, the majority coming from Italy. The data analysis revealed three thematic categories: the care for patients with COVID-19 in the health system; the work process of the health team and its concern with contagion; and ethical dilemma in care for the elderly during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: the COVID-19 pandemic presented itself quickly and was widely reported in all countries. The health systems need to reorganize for care to the global population, especially the elderly, considering their weaknesses and also the lack of prior professional training to offer care to this population.