Las habilidades cognitivas y el desempeño de actividades de la vida diaria del adulto mayor institucionalizado.

Abstract

This research was carried out with the aim of relating cognitive abilities to the integral performance of daily activities in institutionalized older adults in the Rudesindo Soto nursing home in the city of Cúcuta. The research process began by carrying out the characterization of the population of 110 older adults, of which 50 were selected as sample taking into account the inclusion criteria; after this, the assessment process was developed through the Modified MMSE cognitive assessment instrument, which evaluates the cognitive status by analyzing some cognitive functioning areas as orientation, recording of information, attention, calculation, memory and language, and the index of Katz instrument was also applied with the objective of evaluating the functioning status of daily activities, through the assessment of six functions as bath, dress, food, the wc use, mobility and continence, providing an index of autonomydependence. Based on the interpretation of results, it was concluded that the cognitive areas most affected in older adults are memory and temporary orientation; in the same way, it was evidenced their independence in the daily activities’ performance, since they do not require the help of another person to carry out the activities; except for the bathing activity in which 18% have difficulty entering or exiting the shower, but not executing the activity. Taking into account the results obtained through the application of valuation instruments, a plan of action was established towards the conservation of older adults’ residual cognitive abilities, favoring and maintaining their independence in the autonomous and integral performance of daily life activities; this action plan was based on the reminiscence technique, which allows to stimulate the cognitive areas through the action of remembering.