HOME CARE FOR THE ELDERLY: ANALYSIS OF CARE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

• Grant number: 24/13176-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Public Health Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Lopez Rosell
• Grantee: Thamiris Grizante Aurélio
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is experiencing a rapid demographic transition, with an increase in the elderly population and life expectancy. This aging process highlights the need for primary care for the elderly. Home care (HC) is defined as a set of actions and services aimed at promoting health, providing users with continuous access to healthcare. Although it represents a significant strategy for a humanized approach, establishing bonds, and accessing services, there is still a shortage of scientific evidence regarding the care provided to the elderly who require home care. This project aims to analyze the care offered to elderly patients who need home care in a medium-sized municipality in the interior of São Paulo. Data collection will be conducted from 2022 to 2024 through the medical records of elderly patients (n=150) attended by HC in primary health care at the Family Health Strategy Units. The socio-educational and economic profile of these patients, identification, prevalence, and type of morbidity, main treatments performed, the professional category responsible for the care, and the frequency of this care will be determined. Additionally, morbidity data will be associated with the other data obtained, allowing for a more comprehensive and detailed analysis of the health situation of these patients. Data analysis will be conducted through descriptive statistical analysis, including specific tests to determine the association between the variables of interest. A significance level of 5% will be adopted to ensure the reliability of the results. The expected outcomes of this research include comprehensive knowledge of the patients' profile, providing an understanding of health needs for reflection and future planning for the practice of this healthcare. It will benefit healthcare professionals, service managers, and especially the elderly population. Health services that focus on the population's needs have the potential to be more effective as they align objective and subjective aspects valued by both professionals and patients.