P3‐385: An Elderly's profile with Alzheimer's disease treated by the exceptional medicine program of São Carlos City (São Paulo, Brazil)

Abstract

Background: The aim of this research was to characterize the profile of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients assisted by the ExceptionalMedicine Program of Sao Carlos city (Sao Paulo, Brazil). Methods: Participants were individuals aged 60 years or older, diagnosed with mild or moderate AD and in drug treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AchE-I). In order to collect the data, a set of instruments called InterviewScript and Brazil Economic Classification Criterium was applied - a scale that divides the population into seven social classes in descending order of income (A1, A2, B1, B2, C,D and E). Results: The study sample was 53 subjects. 68% of the sample were female (n = 36). The average age of the group was 77.36 (sd = 7.36, xmin = 60, xmax=96). The educational level was low, the majority were illiterate or with incomplete elementary school (79%). The data related to socioeconomic status revealed that 8% (n = 4) of the participants belonged to class A2, 15% (n= 8), B1, 15%(n= 8), B2, 38%(n= 20) of C, 23%(n= 12) of D, and 2% (n=1) belonged to E. Taking into account family composition, we found that 60% (n = 32) were married with children. Regarding the participation in activities they considered optimizers quality of life, 38 elderly (72%) reported having no access; 7 (13%) did physical exercises with the help of a physiotherapist or occupational therapist; 4 (8%) participated in workshops memory; 2 (4%) of the living group, 1 (2%) of psychological treatment and other (n = 1) of the religious group. Conclusions: The profile of elderly patients with AD is predominantly female, married, with children, illiterate or with incomplete primary school, from class "C" or "D". They did not do any kind of physical activity, lack of non-pharmacological coping strategies and have no access to alternative services. Identifying the profile of the target population, and their specificities, provides targeted interventions that could contribute to the attainment of improved quality of life of the individuals and implementation of public policies better suited.