COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND INDEPENDENCE IN OLDER ADULTS IN CENTRAL MÉXICO

Abstract

The present study quantitative descriptive type has the objective of identifying the cognitive impairment and level of independency of the older-adults who attend the gerontological centers in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico. A convenience sampling comprised of 64 older adults, was implemented. The evaluation instruments applied were the Cognitive Mini-Mental state examination based on the 30-point version with adjustment for people with less than 3 years of education, and the Barthel Activities of Daily Living index to assess the population’s independence. The analysis of the data were completed with descriptive statistics. A prevalence of cognitive impairment of 20.90 was found, the level of independence ranging from the minimal dependency to fully independent. 93.75% of the older adults were independent, 15.63% required assistance in ascending and/or descending stairs and only 1.56% are totally incontinent.