Effect of the Active Aging-in-Place-Rehabilitation Nursing Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Background: It is of great importance to promote functional capacity and positive lifestyles, since they contribute to preventing the progression of frailty among the older adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of active aging-in-place−rehabilitation nursing program (AAP-RNP) on the functional capacity and lifestyles of frail older adults. (2) Methods: This was a single-blinded, two-group, randomized, controlled trial of 30 frail older people enrolled at a Health-care unit in Portugal between 2021 and 2022. The duration of the program was 12 weeks, and the sessions took place at the participants' homes. We used as instruments the Tilburg Frailty Indicator; Fried frailty phenotype; Senior Fitness Test battery; Barthel Index; Lawton Index; handgrip strength measurement; Tinetti Index; Individual lifestyle profile; and Borg's perception of effort. (3) Results: Post-program, there was an improvement in multidimensional and physical frailty, functional capacity, balance, and perceived exertion (p < 0.05) in the experimental group. Among the older adults' lifestyles, we observed significant improvements in physical activity habits, relational behavior, and stress management. (4) Conclusions: Rehabilitation nurses have a relevant role, and the AAP-RNP seems to be effective in improving functional capacity and lifestyles in frail older adults.

Multidimensional Frailty and Lifestyles of Community-Dwelling Older Portuguese Adults.

(1) Background: Lifestyles are referred to as conditioning factors for the frailty of older adults. However, there are few studies that explore its association. The objective of the present study is to analyze the association between sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors of older adults people with multidimensional frailty. (2) Methods: Descriptive and correlational study carried out with older adults people registered in a Health Unit in Portugal. Data were collected through a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and application of the Individual Lifestyle Profile and Tilburg Frailty Index to assess the lifestyles and multidimensional frailty of older adults, respectively. This last instrument, being of a multidimensional nature, assesses not only physical, but also psychological and social frailty, with a cut-off point of 6. (3) Results: Of the 300 older adults who participated, most were female (60.3%) and had a mean age of 81.34 ± 6.75 years. Moreover, 60.3% of the sample were frail older adults. Gender, marital status, number of household members, number of chronic diseases, number of daily medications, self-perception of health status and lifestyle and use of a walking device were associated with multidimensional frailty (p ≤ 0.001). Healthy eating habits, physical activity, relational behaviour, preventive behaviour, and stress management were significantly associated with lower physical, psychological, and social frailty (p ≤ 0.001). (4) Conclusions: When community health workers are aware of multidimensional frailty predictors and their components, they can intervene early and, consequently, delay the onset and progression of frailty in older adults.

Fatores relacionados à fragilidade multidimensional em pessoas idosas / Factors related to multidimensional fragility in elderly people / Factors related to multidimensional fragility in elderly people

Objetivo: analisar os fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde relacionados com a fragilidade multidimensional em idosos que vivem no domicílio. Método: estudo descritivo, exploratório e transversal, que avaliou 300 idosos inscritos numa Unidade de Saúde da Região Norte de Portugal. Foram analisadas as condições sociodemográficas e de saúde das pessoas idosas, com aplicação do Índice de Fragilidade de Tilburg, Falls Efficacy Scale International - 7 itens, Índice de Barthel e Escala Lawton & Brody. Resultados: nos idosos do estudo, com idade média de 81,34±6,75 anos, a fragilidade foi identificada em 60,33%. Os fatores relacionados foram: género, estado civil, autopercepção de saúde, antecedentes patológicos, doença grave no último ano, polimedicação, quedas, medo de cair e maior nível de dependência. Conclusão: a fragilidade multidimensional dos idosos que vivem no domicílio é uma condição prevalente. Quando analisados precocemente os fatores preditores na atenção primária à saúde, é possível intervir de forma a retardar essa síndrome.

Objetivo: analizar los factores sociodemográficos y de salud relacionados con la fragilidad multidimensional en personas mayores que viven en el hogar. Método: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio y transversal, que evaluó a 300 ancianos matriculados en una Unidad de Salud de la Región Norte de Portugal. Se analizaron las condiciones sociodemográficas y de salud de los ancianos, con aplicación del Tilburg Frailty Index, Falls Efficacy Scale International - 7 items, Barthel Index y Lawton and Brody Scale. Resultados: en los ancianos del estudio, con una edad media de 81,34±6,75 años, se identificó fragilidad en el 60,33%. Los factores relacionados fueron: género, estado civil, salud autopercibida, antecedentes patológicos, enfermedad grave en el último año, polimedicación, caídas, miedo a caerse y mayor nivel de dependencia. Conclusión: la fragilidad multidimensional de los ancianos que viven en el hogar es una condición prevalente. Cuando los factores predictores en la atención primaria de salud se analizan temprano, es posible intervenir para retrasar este síndrome. Considerações finais: revelaram-se atendimentos influenciados por estereótipos de gênero e sexualidade, o que reduz o acesso a uma Atenção Primária à Saúde de qualidade, promotora do cuidado para com a saúde de mulheres lésbicas.

Objective: to analyze the sociodemographic and health factors related to multidimensional frailty in elderly people living at home. Method: descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional study, which evaluated 300 elderly enrolled in a Health Unit in the Northern Region of Portugal. The sociodemographic and health conditions of the old people were analyzed, with application of the Tilburg Frailty Index, Falls Efficacy Scale International - 7 items, Barthel Index and Lawton and Brody Scale. Results: in the elderly in the study, with a mean age of 81.34±6.75 years, frailty was identified in 60.33%. The related factors were: gender, marital status, self-perceived health, pathological history, severe disease in the last year, polymedication, falls, fear of falling and higher level of dependence. Conclusion: multidimensional frailty of the elderly living at home is a prevalent condition. When predictor factors in primary health care are analyzed early, it is possible to intervene in order to delay this syndrome.