Functional incapacity and the aged: A challenge to health care professionals <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Aims: To present and to evaluate what is available on functional incapacity and the aged. Source of data: Compilation of literature on original scientific and review articles in indexed journals in PubMed, Capes and at the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology. Summary of the findings: Instead of acute processes that evolve to healing or death, the aged have mainly chronic diseases and their complications. As they are often superimposed, the presence of multiple pathologies and morbidities is a major characteristic in the aged, resulting in decline of multiple physiological systems, vulnerability, and the feared functional dependence. Conclusions: Health is no longer measured by the presence or absence of diseases, but by the degree of preservation of functional capacity. The decline in physiological and psychological state, prevalent in the aged, results in difficulty to maintain body homeostasis in the presence of the exacerbation of chronic diseases. One of the challenges for the health care professionals is learning to work in an interactional and integrated manner in the prevention and treatment of the functional incapacity of the aged. KEY WORDS: ACTIVE LIFE EXPECTANCY; AGED; AGING; PATIENT CARE TEAM.