Efectos de la soledad en la salud de las personas mayores / Effects of loneliness on the health of the elderly

OBJETIVOS: Identificar las consecuencias del sentimiento de soledad en la salud psicológica y física de las personas mayores. METODOLOGÍA: Se consultaron las bases de datos PubMed y Web of Science. Se obtuvieron más de 2400 resultados en las búsquedas, de los cuales se seleccionaron 10 artículos que cumplían los criterios de selección establecidos. RESULTADOS: Se identifican como consecuencias del sentimiento de soledad en la salud de las personas mayores la presencia de trastornos psicológicos (ansiedad y depresión); también es un factor predictor de deterioro cognitivo y produce un mayor riesgo de mortalidad, entre otros. CONCLUSIONES: Dados los efectos tan negativos de la soledad en las personas mayores, es necesario realizar un abordaje preventivo y multidisciplinar para minimizar las alteraciones en la salud

OBJECTIVES: Identify the consequences of the feeling of loneliness in the psychological and physical health of the elderly. METHODOLOGY: The PubMed and Web of Science databases were consulted. We obtained more than 2400 results in the searches from which 10 articles were selected that met the established selection criteria. RESULTS: Psychological disorders (as anxiety and depression) are identified as consequence of the feeling of loneliness in the health of the elderly, is too a predictive factor of cognitive impairment and producing a greater risk of mortality, among other. CONCLUSIONS: Given the negative effects of loneliness in the elderly, it is necessary to carry out a preventive and multidisciplinary approach to minimize alterations in health

Development of a Scale Based on Nursing Outcome Classification "Dignified Life Closure" (1307) to Assess End-of-Life Dignity of Patients in Care Homes for the Elderly.

PURPOSE: To develop and pilot the DD-14 scale, a 14-indicator scale based on the Nursing Outcome Classification "Dignified life closure" (1307). METHODS: Sixteen experts selected 14 indicators for Spanish populations. Six care home nurses piloted the scale in 50 terminal patients without cognitive impairment. Factorial and reliability analyses were performed and correlations were determined with dependency, symptomatology, and palliative care quality. FINDINGS: DD-14 demonstrated high reliability (α = 0.916) and a stable factorial structure. It was not influenced by sex, age, or disease and correlated positively with the Barthel index (r = .622; p = .00) and negatively with the Palliative Outcome Scale (r = -.542;p = .00). CONCLUSIONS: DD-14 is a useful scale for evaluating end-of-life dignity. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This instrument could be useful in planning nursing interventions.