Evaluation of the level of independence for the performance of instrumental activities of daily living in a community of vulnerable people

Abstract

Introduction: The structural and/or functional changes or impairments presented by people with disabilities can limit or compromise their interaction, for the performance or fulfillment of personal or social activities, making them then vulnerable people. For evaluation, the occupational therapist must assess several factors that can be considered as a risk of increased vulnerability such as: age, gender, educational level, economic conditions, occupation, physical or mental condition, and presence of comorbidities among others. Objective: To evaluate the level of independence in the performance of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in individuals belonging to a community of vulnerable people. Method: The Lawton and Brody Index was applied to adults and older adults who had or reported some type of disability, collecting a series of data that were processed and analyzed in the Microsoft Excel 2020® calculation template. Results: 74.2% showed a high level of dependence to develop IADLs, with a predominance in adults. 70.7% had a disability card or certificate, with a moderate negative correlation between the percentage of severity and the level of independence. Rheumatoid arthritis was the disease most frequently associated with loss of independence. Conclusion: It is possible to detect early the level of dependence and the presence of disability, through the application of the Lawton and Brody Index, determining functional limitations to perform IADLs in a community of vulnerable people.