A comparison of living conditions and health status of older people aged 80 and over and the roles and relationships with the family (UK and Brazilian perspectives)

• Grant number: 12/50218-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: June 01, 2012 - May 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing
• Convênio/Acordo: University of Surrey
• Principal Investigator: Yeda Aparecida de Oliveira Duarte
• Grantee: Yeda Aparecida de Oliveira Duarte
• Principal researcher abroad: Khim Hortom
• Institution abroad: University of Surrey, England
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem (EE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The ageing of populations raises major challenges at all levels, individual, local, national and international. The health of older people is an area of concern for governments throughout the developed world because older people are the main users of health services. Yet, the healthcare needs of older people (those aged 80 years or more) are, in many places such as in LA, unknown despite it having such a rapidly growing ageing population. The greatest health care needs are experienced by the oldest old. Our comparative research project will focus on older people aged 80 and over. The UK has a long experience of providing caregiving for older people, and there has been extensive research on the roles and nature of care provided to older people by family caregivers. SABE Study undertaken by researchers in São Paulo shows that 15% of older people in Brazil are over age 80 years. They are predominantly female (67%), many without education (39%), widowed (63%), with multiple disabling chronic diseases- 81% with difficulties in ADL, with limited access to health care and many lack a social support network. About 69% are frail, which in two years of follow-up increased to 94%. Our proposed project aims to extend and compare current knowledge about older people aged 80 or more in Brazil and the UK examining their living conditions and health status their role and relationships within their family structure their care needs and the extent of care currently beinq. (AU)