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Background: There is little information about Chilean elderly residents of long term care facilities, regarding their characteristics and need for resources. Aim: To describe main characteristics and resource utilization of residents of one of the largest nursing homes in Chile, Fundación Las Rosas de Ayuda Fraterna. Material and Methods: In a cross sectional and descriptive study, all residents were evaluated using the RUG T-18 method, that assess activities of daily living and the complexity of their clinical situation. Results: We assessed 1497 subjects 60 years old and over (73% women), with an age range of 60-106 years. Thirty six percent had urinary incontinence, 19% required assistance for feeding, and 38% needed help for walking or moving. Fifty seven percent were in the lowest category of complexity, «Institutionalization». Very few residents were in the most demanding categories, no one classified as «Rehabilitation», and only 0.7% were in «Special Care». Conclusions: This study is an important start point to learn more about elderly subjects living in nursing homes in Chile (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 701-6)

Background: In Chile there is a program named "Vacations for Elderly during Low Season". Aim: To characterize participants of this program and to measure the impact of traveling in their health and wellbeing. Material and methods: Two anonymous and voluntary questionnaires were applied to 4200 participants, before and after a ten days vacation package. Results: Before traveling, questionnaires were answered by 802 subjects, and after traveling by 4057 (69% women, 22% older than 75 years old, 15.8% living alone). The presence and maintaining of good health were most appreciated at this age and 59% classified their health as good or excellent. Twenty five percent referred sensory problems (seeing or hearing), 12% reported urinary incontinence and 21% presented falls in the last three months; depression screening (GDS-5) was positive in 16%. Chronic disease prevalence was similar to the general Chilean elderly population. After traveling they reported significant improvements in the items sociability, wellbeing, mood, appetite, insomnia and ostheoarthritic pain. Conclusions: Elderly who traveled were mainly women, who thought that maintaining good health is the most precious value. After traveling they improved significantly different aspects of wellbeing. Promotion of this kind of recreation programs is an important tool for integration and enhancement of quality of life in elderly subjects in our country (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 573-8).

The number of nonagenarians is rapidly growing in Chile. This age group is mainly female, with higher frailty markers and in higher risk of being placed at nursing homes. Aim: To describe features of nonagenarian women and compare them with a group of women between 60-89 years, both living in nursing homes, in terms of disability and resource use at the institution. Subjects and methods: A total of 230 nonagenarian women and 460 women, aged 60-89 years, were evaluated in the nursing home Fundación Las Rosas de Ayuda Fraterna (only for poor elderly) in Santiago, Chile. The assessment instruments were the Geriatric Assessment instrument FEGAUC, functional and mental evaluation scales of Spanish Red Cross and the Resource Utilization System, RUG T18, an independent diagnostic classification system that allows the determination of resource use in terms of cost and personnel needs. Results: Nonagenarian women had significantly (p

The number of nonagenarians is rapidly growing in Chile. This age group is mainly female, with higher frailty markers and in higher risk of being placed at nursing homes. Aim: To describe features of nonagenarian women and compare them with a group of women between 60-89 years, both living in nursing homes, in terms of disability and resource use at the institution. Subjects and methods: A total of 230 nonagenarian women and 460 women, aged 60-89 years, were evaluated in the nursing home Fundación Las Rosas de Ayuda Fraterna (only for poor elderly) in Santiago, Chile. The assessment instruments were the Geriatric Assessment instrument FEGAUC, functional and mental evaluation scales of Spanish Red Cross and the Resource Utilization System, RUG T18, an independent diagnostic classification system that allows the determination of resource use in terms of cost and personnel needs. Results: Nonagenarian women had significantly (p

Falls are an important cause of disability and mortality among elderly subjects. Aim: To study the features and incidence of falls in institutionalized elderly subjects. Patients and methods: Prospective recording of all falls, occurring in a period of eight months, to 453 subjects older than 60 years, living a home for the elderly. Evaluation of functional status of subjects suffering falls, using the Spanish Red Cross score. One hundred and two subjects living in the same place, but not suffering falls, were considered as controls. Results: One hundred and three subjects, aged 80±6 years (24% of the sample) suffered falls. Most falls were during the day and while walking. Seventy percent of subjects suffering falls did not have a history of previous falls. Nine percent of those falling, suffered a fracture. Compared to controls, falling subjects had a more deteriorated functional and mental status and consumed more benzodiazepines and neuroleptics. Conclusions: There is an association between functional status and psychotropic medication consumption and the incidence of falls in institutionalized elderly subjects

Introduction: The best approach to improve under-recognition of depression is routine screening, idealy using an instrument that is highly effective and easy to administer. Objective: To test the effectiveness of the 5-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (5-GDS) for depression screening in a community-dwelling Chilean elderly population. Participants and Methods: 110 subjects were evaluated at the geriatric outpatient clinic of a university teaching hospital. Patients answered a questionnaire that included the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and demographic information. Using the 15-item GDS score as reference standard to classify subjects as depressed, test characteristics of the 5-GDS were evaluated. Results: Subjects had a mean 15-item GDS score of 5.4; 47% classified as depressed. Depressed and not depressed subjects were similar with regard to demographics, educational level and comorbid conditions. The mean score was 1.9 for the 5-item GDS. Pearson correlation for 15-item and 5-item GDS scores was 0.92, p