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Methods: Retrospective descriptive correlational design. The sample was formed by 360 clinical expedients of older adults, users of a Geriatric Center, selected randomly with systematical sampling (k= 16). Social-demographic data was collected and the evaluations were done with 4 instruments: Yesavage’s Geriatric Depression Scale; Minimental State Examination MMS-E; Katz Scale. Basic Activities of Daily Living; Lawton y Brody Scale. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. The analysis of data was completed using the statistical package SPSS V21.
Results: The mean age of the participants was of 73 years and 5 of education. Most of them are women (62%) and married (54%). The prevalence was of 54% on depression; 21.7% on cognitive impairment; 33.6% on dependence to complete basic activities of daily living and 58.6% 33.6% on dependence to complete instrumental activities of daily living. It was found that older adults with the most age, reported less educational years (r=.-270; p<.001); less income (r=.-154; p = .008); greater depression levels (r=.217; p<.001) and cognitive impairment (r=.360; p<.001); they were more dependent when doing basic activities (r=.290; p<.001) and instrumental activities on daily living (r=.320; p<.001).
Conclusion: The results of this study confirm that depression and cognitive impairment are associated to the functional dependence in Mexican Older adults. This also demonstrates that older adults with highest age and least income form the most vulnerable group. It is necessary go deeper in the research of functional dependence, taking into consideration the differences in gender, presence of chronic diseases and mobility. It is also important to sensitize nursing professionals about the necessity to rate systematically older adults when they assist to check-ups or when they ask for health services, even when they have not presented health related problems, in order to identify the factors that affect their health, as well as the complex needs of care demanded by this segment of the population.