[Study of the nutritional status of elders in Cantabria]. / Estudio del estado nutricional de los ancianos de Cantabria.

INTRODUCTION: Population ageing is a main concern under the biosanitary point of view. AIM: To assess the nutritional status of people 65 year-old and older in Cantabria (Spain) METHOD: A total of 1605 persons were studied by means of the MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment); a) by primary care (59.9% in the unit, and 4.7% at home) and, b) in nursing homes (35.4%). RESULTS: Nutritional score (NS) was 23.4 ± 4.1 for women and 24.4 ± 4 in males (p < 0.001). We emphasize the fact that 22.3% of people studied in the nursing homes were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, compared with 14.2% of those studied at the unit, and only 3.3% of the home visited elders. The correlation between the value of the NS and the subjective estimation of nutrition status showed a high value (0.65). We emphasize the negative correlation (-0.53) between BNI value and the incidence of skin lesions. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the importance of identifying malnutrition or its risk in elders in order to prevent the negative consequences of this deficiency.

La necesidad de un informe de enfermería al alta o traslado en una residencia geriátrica / The need of a nursing report at discharge or transfer to a geriatric residence

Frecuentemente el personal de enfermería se encuentra que al ingreso de un anciano la transmisión de información es deficiente o escasa para el abordaje integral e individualizado de éste. Con el objetivo de salvaguardar este problema y mejorar la continuidad asistencial de los ancianos dados de alta a su domicilio o trasladados a otro centro asistencial, el equipo de enfermería de la Residencia Clínica “Los Robles” ha elaborado un instrumento de registro que denominamos “Informe de enfermería al alta o traslado de una residencia geriátrica”. En el mismo se pretende recoger de una forma esquemática, ágil y completa la realidad y situación biopsicosocial del anciano garantizando una adecuada transmisión de la información y la continuidad de los cuidados de enfermería. Dicha hoja se elaboró basándonos en gran medida en el Modelo de Necesidades de Virginia Henderson (1). En ella se recogen los aspectos básicos del anciano a través de una serie de ítems cerrados y abiertos, abarcando tanto el estado basal del anciano como los procesos agudos si los hubiere, estando dirigida tanto al personal sanitario del centro asistencial de destino como a los propios cuidadores del anciano en el caso de traslado a domicilio

Introduction: As people get older, certain changes happen in the brain that become even more pronounced when the elderly person falls ill. Therefore it is very important to carry out exercises that stimulate the brain of elderly hospitalised people with special focus on the main cerebral functions of orientation and language. Our aims will be directed towards enhancing, stimulating and exercising two main cognitive functions: orientation and language in their diverse forms. Methods and resources: This work was developed in the San Rafael University hospital in Granada. The activities carried out were of orientation and language. Variables: age, sex, main diagnostic, Barthel Index and the Lobo (MEC) mini cerebral test. Results: The sample is constituted by 20 patients with an average age of 84.5 years old. We can note two main predominances: a greater number of women (75% from the total sample) and significant prevalence of neurological diseases (40%). During the initial MEC, before accomplishing the exercises, 35% of the sample showed a moderate cognitive deterioration, whereas minor deterioration prevailed during the subsequent MEC after the exercises, with a 35%. Within orientation exercises, patients obtained higher marks in the temporal-spatial ones. Concerning language exercises, marks reached an acceptable standard overall. Discussions and conclusions: The aged patients showed an acceptable level in temporal and spatial orientation and verbal repetition. It is essential the periodical practice of stimulating cognitive activities to improve aged patients’ life standards