Family and social vulnerability: a study with octogenarians

• Published in: Revista latino-americana de enfermagem Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 374 - 379
• Main Authors: Pavarini, Sofia Cristina Iost, Barha, Elizabeth Joan, Mendiondo, Marisa Silvana Zazzetta de, Filizola, Carmen Lucia Alves, Petrilli Filho, José Fernando, Santos, Ariene Angelini Dos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto / Universidade de São Paulo 01.05.2009
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Cognition Disorders; Family; Female; Humans; Male; NURSING; Social Support; Vulnerable Populations; social support; idoso de 80 anos ou mais; anciano de 80 o más años; demência; demencia; vulnerabilidad social; family health; saúde da família; apoyo social; dementia; social vulnerability; aged, 80 and over; vulnerabilidade social; apoio social; salud de la familia
• ISSN: 0104-1169; 1518-8345; 0104-1169
• DOI: 10.1590/S0104-11692009000300015

In order to guide the development of dementia-related public policies for the elderly, it is important to identify factors that vary together with the social vulnerability of this population. This study aimed to identify the relationship between the São Paulo Social Vulnerability Index (IPVS) and various indicators of family support for elderly people over 80 years of age, who presented cognitive alterations (N=49). All ethical guidelines were followed. Data were collected at the homes of the elderly people. A large majority of the respondents lived with family members (88%). In half of the cases, the respondents lived with one (41%) or two (9%) other elderly persons. On average, there was one more non-elderly person living in the high vulnerability family context (M = 3.6, sd = 1.70) than in contexts of very low vulnerability (M = 2.4, sd = 1.07), F(2.43) = 3.364, p < 0.05. However, the functionality of the support provided by these family members needs to be verified, in each of these contexts.