• D Corrales, L Palomo, M J Magariño Bravo, G Alonso, P Torrico, A Barroso, and V Merchan.
• Centro de Salud Plaza de Angel, Plaza de Angel s/n, 1004 Cáceres, Spain.
• Aten Primaria. 2004 May 15; 33 (8): 426433426-33.

ObjectiveTo describe the social environment and to identify the health problems and the functional and mental ability of the elderly in the community.DesignCross-sectional, observational study by means of a questionnaire.Patients228 people over 71 and not living in an institution.SettingCáceres Health Area.Main MeasurementsQuestionnaire on social and demographic details, main pathologies, social assessment (Gijón scale), functional assessment (Barthel and Lawton-Brody scales), mental assessment (Pfeiffer test), geriatric problems and visits from health professionals.Results67% of the 228 people in the sample were women, with an average age of 79. Comorbidity, present in over 70% of the elderly, was significantly related to multi-medication, falls, hospital admission, depression and insomnia. The most common social and family situation was of a person living with his/her partner (38.3%; CI, 6.31) or children, in a dwelling with architectural barriers (43.0%; CI, 6.43), with a good relationship to his/her social surroundings (61.0%; CI, 6.33). The Barthel test showed a significant relationship with all the geriatric problems declared. The Pfeiffer test showed a relationship with falls (t=3.10; P=.00214), with hearing problems (t=1.98; P=.048), with incontinence (t=3.59; P=.0040) and constipation (t=2.64; P=.0086). The Lawton-Brody test was related, in women, with falls (t=4.27; P=.00034), admissions (t=2.02; P=.044), constipation and sight and hearing problems; and in men, with depression and incontinence.ConclusionsElderly people in the Cáceres Health Area showed good functional ability in their basic daily tasks, less ability in instrumental activities and high comorbidity.

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