Search

Objective: to perform a multidimensional health assessment for Bahraini elderly and identify areas of need. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Elderly 60 years and more who are attending elderly daycare centers in Bahrain. Method: A total of four hundred and fifteen men and women attending elderly daycare centers were interviewed. Mini mental state examination, depression scale, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living were assessed through a questionnaire designed for the purpose of this study. Furthermore, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and random blood sugar were measured. Results: 76.8% of the women and 57.3% of the men were hypertensive. The prevalence of diabetes was 58.8% in women and 57.4% in men. Overweight was present among 22.4% of elderly. Three quarters of the elderly had an unremarkable mental status based on the mental and functional assessment scale. Conclusion: Attendees of elderly daycare centers in Bahrain were generally independent. However, counseling on lifestyle modification and monitoring of their health status is required.