Home Care for the Elderly: An Integrated Approach to Perception, Quality of Life, and Cognition

Luis Eduardo Genaro (), José Victor Marconato, Elaine Pereira da Silva Tagliaferro, Felipe Eduardo Pinotti, Aylton Valsecki Júnior, Tânia Adas Saliba and Fernanda Lopez Rosell
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Luis Eduardo Genaro: Postgraduate Program in Collective Health in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, Araçatuba 16.015-050, SP, Brazil
José Victor Marconato: School of Medicine, San Francisco University, Bragança Paulista 12.916-900, SP, Brazil
Elaine Pereira da Silva Tagliaferro: Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara 14.801-903, SP, Brazil
Felipe Eduardo Pinotti: Postgraduate Program in Collective Health in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, Araçatuba 16.015-050, SP, Brazil
Aylton Valsecki Júnior: Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara 14.801-903, SP, Brazil
Tânia Adas Saliba: Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, Araçatuba 16.015-050, SP, Brazil
Fernanda Lopez Rosell: Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University, Araraquara 14.801-903, SP, Brazil

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: This study investigated the impact of home care, health status, and cognition. A qualitative and quantitative approach was employed through a cross-sectional study with a sample of 60 elderly individuals in need of home care in the municipality of Itatiba, São Paulo, Brazil. The analysis utilized the Discourse of the Collective Subject (DCS), EQ-5D, EQ VAS, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The sample consisted of 40.0% male and 60.0% female individuals. The majority (61.6%) received weekly visits, mainly from community health agents, who were responsible for the majority of the care (45%). Positive considerations were highlighted, with 36.6% emphasizing the contribution to treatment continuity. The EQ VAS assessment indicated a moderately good perception of health. The EQ-5D analysis revealed significant differences between genders in personal care ( p = 0.04). There were significant differences between clinical characteristics and EQ-5D dimensions, such as neoplasia and reduced mobility ( p = 0.04), and arthritis/osteoarthritis/rheumatism and a limitation in common activities ( p = 0.01). The presence of anxiety/depression was significant in cases of neoplasia ( p = 0.006), arthritis/osteoarthritis/rheumatism ( p = 0.01), and stroke ( p = 0.04). The logistic regression analysis showed associations between usual activities and arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism ( p = 0.034), pain/malaise and arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism ( p = 0.038), and anxiety/depression and stroke ( p = 0.028). The average MMSE scores (17.52) suggested a mild cognitive impairment, with no statistical differences between genders. Based on these results, it can be concluded that home care can provide a comprehensive approach and continuous assistance, emphasizing the importance of personalized care based on perceived and clinical differences.

Keywords: home care services; home nursing; mini-mental state examination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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