QUALITY-OF-LIFE AND FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF FREE-LIVING AND INSTITUTIONALIZED NONAGENARIANS

Background: The 1992 census showed that 10,470 people over 90 years ol d lived in Santiago and we do not have information about their general medical status. Aim: To evaluate and compare quality of life and func tional status of free living and institutionalized nonagenarians in Sa ntiago. Subjects and methods: During 24 months, 241 people of 90 years or older were interviewed. One hundred twenty seven (96 female) lived in their own homes and 114 (108 female) lived in institutions. The ge riatric evaluation scale, validated in previous studies, was used as t he assessment instrument. Results: Mean age of subjects was 94 years o ld (range 90 to 106). Eight percent of subjects were bedridden. No dif ferences in general condition, fecal or urinary continence, nutritiona l status, blood pressure, cognition, sight and hearing acuity, were ob served between free living and institutionalized subjects. Free living elders had a significantly higher number of bothers or offspring and 90% were happy with the place where they lived. Conclusions: Most nona genarians in Santiago are in good general medical conditions. Probably , the decision to become institutionalized depends more on lack of fam ily support than on worse medical, functional or mental conditions.