Explore Physical Function and Mental Status of the Frail Elderly

• Main Authors: Ching-Mei Chang, 張青梅
• Other Authors: Heng-Hsin Tung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/14191639435280959114

碩士 === 國立臺北護理健康大學 === 護理研究所 === 101 === Background: In the advent of rapid growth for the elderly population, the population for people over 65 in 1993 reached 7% plus for the total population, and officially, the ageing society is here to stay. By 2012, the elderly population was totaled at 11.2%. Hence according to the report“Taiwan population estimates between 2010 and 2060”published by CEPD (Council for Economical Planning and Development), it revealed that by 2060 the elderly population would be greatly increased to the magnitude of 39.4% for the total population. Within it, the ratio for elderly above 80 would increase to 2060’s 41.4% from 2012’s 25.4% whereas population ageing could create comprehensive impacts toward medicare and health protection expenses as well as social welfares. With rapid population ageing, this also triggers the increases in medical and therapeutic expenses as well as long-term care requirements. Therefore the early detection for the elderly undergoing this phase of high risk can be paramount. Objective: This thesis aims to explore the physical function, mental state of the frail elderly in addition to early detection for the problems encountered by the elderly thus proper nursing cares can be provided so as to raise the medical care quality for the elderly. Methodology: This research adopts the cross-sectional design to facilitate the sampling process. We also conducted survey query at a certain regional hospital’s clinics of medical department. There were 136 samples collected from the participants and the research is comprised of personal basic information, Barthel Index, IADL, MMSE, GDS-15 and IPAQ the so called short version for Taiwan Activity Amount Survey. Research information was filed away with SPSS 18.0 the computer statistics software which adopted descriptive, t-test and classically relevant statistical analyses which comprised of percentage, mean value, standard deviation. Findings： Findings of this research reveal that in the aspects of physical function and mental state, the normally functional elderly outperforms the frail elderly. The factors that affect the physical function for the frail elderly are exercise habit, educational background, the care provider . Factors that affect the mental state of the frail elderly are exercise habit, educational background, complications. There are significant correlations found between physical function and mental state for the frail elderly and the better physical function foretells the better cognitive function in addition to lower depression. Conclusions: While targeting to the aspects involved physical functions of the frail elderly, it is recommended that there be adequate exercises arranged for the frail elderly that can render the elderly with the incubation for the habit of exercise and cutting down the incapacitation resulted from bodily function degradation. This thesis also recommends that the government need to provide proper assistances to the increased care needs resulted from physical degradation of the elderly and subsequently this can allow the elderly to obtain good caring quality. Keywords:Frail elderly, Physical functional , Mental state.