Introduction:

In the aging there is a deterioration of the capabilities physical and mental that lead to dependency and disability This problems tends to be more frequent in the elderly institutionalized.

Objective:

To determine the cognitive functions, autonomy and independence of the institutionalized elderly.

Methods:

A descriptive study of quantitative crosscut, held at the Asilo Sagrado Corazon de Jesus between the months of September and November of 2015.

The sample group consist of 62 institutionalized elderly, of which 37 meet the self-reliance requirement. Among the tools used to evaluate and the Minimental State Examination, Rating Scale for Self-Care Autonomy, and Autonomy Scale for basic activities of daily living -Barthel. This information was processed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

51.20 % were women, 48.80 % men. 88.23 % between 71-90 years. 32.40 % had severe cognitive impairment, 24.20 % had moderate impairment and 27.00 % had no deterioration. In carrying out daily activities, 76.70 % had full autonomy, 5.10 % were dependent, 40.50 % had been independent, 2.70 % had mild dependence and 13.50 % between severe and total dependence.

Conclusions:

Older adults are mostly self-reliant and independent in basic activities of daily life since cognitive functioning is not mostly affected.

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