Identificación del índice de dependencia según la percepción del cuidador y la relación con el deterioro cognitivo del adulto mayor

Abstract

Abstract: Cognitive impairment is a condition that presents enormous challenges for older adults and their caregivers, mainlythis is due to the association between cognitive deficits and functional dependence (Henskenset al., 2019). The objective of the present study was to identify the dependency index according to the caregiver&#39;s perception and the relationship with the cognitive impairmentof the older adult. The methodology used was quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive, exploratory and correlational type, which included163 informal caregivers (82.8% women, mean age 52 years) and 163 older adults (63.6% women, mean age 83.6 years). Different instruments were used to collect information: Ad-hoc sociodemographic questionnaire, Barthel index and Short Portable Mental Status QuestionnairePSMSQ. A highly significant negative correlation r (162) = -.530 p <.0001, was found between dependency and cognitive decline.Among the most outstanding results are total dependency with 16.7%, significant cognitive decline with 23.3% and a highly significant negative correlation r (162) = -.530 p <.0001, between dependency and cognitive impairment, that is, greater independence, less cognitive impairment.