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Objectives: Understand the relationship between the aging process and independence functional/quality of life in adults with special needs. Materials and Methods: Sample consisting of adults with special needs (n = 29), with ages between 37 and 68 interviewed in person. Quality of life was assessed (GenCat) and functionality (Functional Independence Measure). Level of deterioration cognitive impairment assessed by the 6-Item Cognitive Decline Test. Interviews with 20 questions regarding the evolution of functional independence and quality of life in the last 5 years, retrospectively. Results: The quality of life percentile in people with special needs decreases with an increased level of cognitive deterioration and lower levels of literacy. It’s bigger in younger subjects and in individuals living with family members. Most participants is independent in carrying out most tasks. The age group of 61–70 years was that which demonstrated a lower degree of functional independence. Subjects who live in institutional homes for people with disabilities reveal a greater need for assistance in carrying out tasks. Regarding evolution of the participants, the majority maintained their degree of (in) dependence throughout the years, last five years. Taking into account the factors that influence quality of life, physical complaints worsened, and in the remaining dimensions the majority maintained or the situation improved. Conclusion: This study allows us to conclude that over five years the study subjects had a positive evolution in terms of social interactions and health behaviours, and negative in terms of physical complaints in people with special needs. It was not possible to conclude that aging has impact on the ability to carry out activities of daily living, nor at the level of activity physical, family relationships, interpersonal relationships, emotional state and general satisfaction of this population. More descriptive and quantitative studies, with a larger sample size are necessary to understand possible effects of the aging process in these populations.

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Functional Independence and Quality of Life in the Aging Process of People with Special Needs

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Maria Pinto,
  • Vítor Pinheira

摘要

Objectives: Understand the relationship between the aging process and independence functional/quality of life in adults with special needs. Materials and Methods: Sample consisting of adults with special needs (n = 29), with ages between 37 and 68 interviewed in person. Quality of life was assessed (GenCat) and functionality (Functional Independence Measure). Level of deterioration cognitive impairment assessed by the 6-Item Cognitive Decline Test. Interviews with 20 questions regarding the evolution of functional independence and quality of life in the last 5 years, retrospectively. Results: The quality of life percentile in people with special needs decreases with an increased level of cognitive deterioration and lower levels of literacy. It’s bigger in younger subjects and in individuals living with family members. Most participants is independent in carrying out most tasks. The age group of 61–70 years was that which demonstrated a lower degree of functional independence. Subjects who live in institutional homes for people with disabilities reveal a greater need for assistance in carrying out tasks. Regarding evolution of the participants, the majority maintained their degree of (in) dependence throughout the years, last five years. Taking into account the factors that influence quality of life, physical complaints worsened, and in the remaining dimensions the majority maintained or the situation improved. Conclusion: This study allows us to conclude that over five years the study subjects had a positive evolution in terms of social interactions and health behaviours, and negative in terms of physical complaints in people with special needs. It was not possible to conclude that aging has impact on the ability to carry out activities of daily living, nor at the level of activity physical, family relationships, interpersonal relationships, emotional state and general satisfaction of this population. More descriptive and quantitative studies, with a larger sample size are necessary to understand possible effects of the aging process in these populations.