Context:

The loss of autonomy and independence among the elderly contribute to an increase in the rate of institutional care.

Objectives:

To develop a functional profile of the elderly residing in residential care facilities in the surrounding region of a town in the Trás-os-Montes region.

Methodology:

This is an exploratory study using descriptive statistics to establish the profile of the elderly involved in the study. The research was based on a convenience sample of 82 subjects.

Instruments:

Mini-Mental State Examination; Self-Care Evaluation Form; Barthel Index; Lawton and Brody Scale and a Health Evaluation Form.

Results:

The elderly who are in residential care are primarily widowed women, with an average age of 81.8, and with a low level of education, who reside in these institutions for an average of 21.5 months. In terms of their cognition, 68.3% show a cognitive deficit, while 12.7% are dependent on all aspects of self-care, and 22.27% need assistance from someone or from some type of equipment. Nearly all the subjects, 95.1%, require assistance to prepare and to take medication prescribed to them. It is important to note that 69.6% of the elderly show changes in their nutritional state and that 79.3% have a limited range of motion. In addition, 62.2% have elimination problems, especially urinary incontinence, while 30.5% have constipation problems.

Conclusions:

The institutionalized elderly experience problems related to basic health care, highlighting the need to create intervention plans to promote self-care, independence and autonomy.

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