Deterioro cognitivo en el adulto mayor y su relación con la funcionalidad familiar

Abstract

Introduction: Aging produces physiological changes that produce symptoms, which are organized into geriatric syndromes, one of the main ones is cognitive impairment, which can produce functional limitations, making older adults dependent on caregivers and generally This responsibility falls on the family group, leading to problems that alter family functionality. Objective: To determine cognitive impairment in the elderly and its relationship with family functionality. Methodology: An investigation was carried out with a quantitative and qualitative approach, with a cross-sectional. epidemiological design. 65 years or more who belong to the Pataín neighborhood of the Panzaleo Parish. The sample was determined, by nonprobabilistic convenience sampling, as it was a small population, in this sense, the sample was 141 participants older than 65 years of age or older who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria, at Two instruments were applied, the first for the assessment of cognitive impairment Photo test and the perception test of family functioning (FF-SIL), for the assessment of family functionality. Results: It was determined that cognitive impairment in older adults is 30%, dementia in 2%, dysfunctional families and severely dysfunctional families in 36% and 11% respectively, in addition there is a statistically significant association with a p <0.005 between cognitive impairment and alterations in family functionality, on the other hand, it was found that there are demographic factors such as educational level and age that are associated with cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Cognitive alterations in the elderly are underdiagnosed, which determine problems of family functionality. Timely diagnosis as well as proper management, where health personnel participate in the whole with the family, are valid strategies to maintain an older adult and a functional family