tailieunhanh - Physical health and functional ability of an elderly, population in Sri, Lanka

The elderly population is seen differently in developing and developed countries. In the former, the age limit for a person to be considered old is 60 years; in the latter, this age limit is 65 years. This differentiation emerged during the First United Nations World Summit on Population Aging, through Resolution number 39/125(1). The need to establish chronological parameters for old age becomes more relevant as social and health actions are scheduled. When it comes to elderly healthcare, its main purpose is to achieve the maintenance of good health conditions, so that these individuals can maximize their active life, in the environment they are inserted in, along with their families, with physical, mental. | Physical health and functional ability of an elderly population in Sri Lanka D. N. Fernando and R. de A. Seneviratna2 The Ceylon Journal of Medical Science 1993 36 9-16 Summary Demographic changes occurring hi the past few decades have resulted in an increase in both the proportion and in the absolute numbers of elderly persons in many developing countries where services for the elderly are limited. Assessment of physical health and functional ability of this group forms a basis for formulation of policies and programmes for provision of such services. A community based study aimed at obtaining the above information was carried out in a province in Sri Lanka using several approaches - self-assessment of health status self-reported health problems functional status measures and physical performance measures. The findings indicated the common health problems to be associated with vision hearing mastication and mobility. Other conditions requiring long-term care such as arthritis and hypertension were also important. Self-assessment of health a good predictor of morbidity and mortality was associated with several psychosocial variables. Data indicated that number of years of life expectancy free of problems associated with activities of daily living was relatively low. Programmes aimed at limiting disability among this group have to be considered along with those for provision of care. Introduction Aging of the population is a phenomenon present in both developing and developed countries. Sri Lanka a country which has shown an increasing life expectancy at birth and reducing mortality rates in the past few decades is likely to experience an increase in the proportion of the elderly population in the next few years. It is estimated that the population 60 years and over will constitute in the year 2000 and by the year 2025 1 . Most of the developed countries have health and social welfare programmes for this age group. Hence a majority of reported studies on .