ABSTRACT
Purpose:
to estimate the prevalence of oral communication, memory, reading and writing, voice and oral motor skills problems in elderly people.
Methods:
cross-sectional study with 75 older people registered in a Family Clinic of Rio de Janeiro. It was estimated the prevalence, in all cases and by sex. The presence of differences between the sexes was verified by statistical tests t and chi-square.
Results:
the problems most frequently related to oral communication and memory were the avoidance to communicate (20.5%), difficulty in remembering recent and past events (34.7% and 26.4% respectively). There was a high prevalence of difficulty in reading and writing. According to hearing, 43.10% reported "watching television and listening to radio too loud." Related to voice perception, 71.2% referred "speak loudly or shouting" and 23.6% to "get hoarse frequently." As far as Myofunctional oral motor skill, 24.7% had "difficulties in chewing in general" and 54.8% "snoring while sleeping."
Conclusion:
in this study, there was a large proportion of elderly people who referred difficulties related to language, hearing, speech and chewing skills, which are functions related to socialization, welfare and maintenance of functional autonomy and can directly interfere with their quality of life and health.
Keywords:
Speech and Language Pathology; Health of Elderly; Prevalence
