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Abstract(s)
As people have become increasingly aware, the age of the European population is rising and the percentage of adults aged 65 years and older is expected to increase. In addition, older people spend about 20 hours per day indoors, and some spend essentially their time in elderly care centers (ECC). In this sense, the study of indoor environments and how elder people may be particularly at risk of adverse health effects from pollutants, even at low exposures, due to multiple underlying chronic diseases is becoming an important issue to be addressed by research. Such conditions are highly prevalent, multifactorial, and associated with multiple comorbidities and poor outcomes, such as increased disability and decreased quality of life.
The importance of this topic was heightened in 2012 by the World Health Day in 2012 Ageing and health with the theme "Good health adds life to years" and also the ‘European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations’. Accordingly, this project is suitable to integrate these initiatives and to ensure greater recognition of what older people bring to society and create more supportive conditions for them. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Portugal to assess effects of indoor air contaminants on health status and quality of life in older persons living in ECC.
The aim of GERIA project is to carry out a risk assessment, often difficult for older people, involving the identification of multiple factors potentially affecting health and quality of life, the quantification of human exposure to pollutants, and the evaluation of the individual’s response to these stimuli. The results of this project contribute to the understanding of health effects due to indoor environment variables and to provide health benefits to ECC residents with relatively simple measures.
The primary long-term purpose of the GERIA study is to improve the health of older persons living in ECC. The GERIA study aimed at:
• Measure air quality and thermal conditions in ECC;
• Assess the relationship between indoor air quality and thermal conditions on cardiorespiratory health of ECC residents (aged 65 years and older);
• Evaluate the association of indoor air pollution with health-related quality of life of older persons;
• Identify a subgroup of older persons particularly susceptible to adverse effects of air pollutants, thus posing the basis for preventive interventions.
The GERIA Project took place in the two main Portuguese cities, Lisbon and Oporto. Within the 1st phase of this study, 53 ECC (33 in Lisbon and 20 in Oporto) were selected through proportional stratified random sampling (by parish) from the 151 included in the Portuguese Social Charter (95 in Lisbon and 56 in Oporto). These 53 ECC were attended by 2,110 residents (1,442 in Lisbon and 668 in Oporto). The 2nd phase completed a thorough analysis based on the 1st phase preliminary study. Eighteen ECC where further studied in detail.
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Keywords
Indoor Air Quality Elderly Care Centers Geriatric Study Health Effects of Air Quality Elderly Health Elderly Care Centers Ventilation Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Health and Environment Portugal Ar e Saúde Ocupacional GERIA
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Publisher
Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto