Nursing diagnosis of impaired physical mobility in elderly people at Primary Health Care

Abstract

Objective: To identify the frequency of the nursing diagnosis of Impaired Physical Mobility Impairment and its components in elderly population registered in a Primary Health Care Unit. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted from November 2014 to February 2015, performed with 50 seniors at their homes. A questionnaire on patients´ identification, their health conditions and their mobility was used. Results: The nursing diagnosis in question was identified in 71.4% of the population. The most present related factors were: lack of knowledge about the advantages of physical activity (66.7%), discomfort (76.9%), pain (82.1%), joint stiffness (76.9%) and sedentary lifestyle (82.1%). The defining characteristics were: limited capacity to perform gross motor skills (89.7%) and fine motor skills (56.4%), and engagement in substitution of movements (74.4%). Conclusion: Participants showed difficulties related to physical mobility, evidencing a need for better care from health professionals.