Cuidado de enfermagem à população idoso: percepções de enfermeiros da atenção primária à saúde

Abstract

Global and Brazilian aging is predictable and growing, as there is a transition in the demographic composition of the elderly population. The increase in elderly people and the need to transpose the biomedical model of care require innovative health practices, with an emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion, considering the social determinants of health and the life context of each elderly person. This research aims to understand nurses' perceptions of nursing care for the elderly population in Primary Health Care. It is a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, based on the theoretical framework of Health Promotion. Ten nurses who work in Primary Health Care in the state of Santa Catarina, who were selected by the “snowball” method. Data collection took place through a semi-structured interview via video call on the WhatsApp application, considering compliance with the health measures of the Covid-19 pandemic and the protection of those involved. Data organization and analysis were based on Bardin's content analysis. As a resulto f this study, two manuscripts emerged, namely: 1) Perceptions of Primary Care nurses about assistance and training in the health of the elderly, in which the main complaints of the elderly in Nursing consultations, the reasons why they seek the service and training were understood from the nurse to the health care of the elderly; and 2) Elderly care in Primary Health Care: perceptions of nurses, in which it was understood how care for the oldest old is developed in the context of Primary Care, especially in situations of multimorbidity. It was concluded that the elderly seek the health unit mainly for routine monitoring and prevention of diseases, but also as a way to alleviate the feeling of loneliness existing in old age, which contributes to the hyperutilization of the service. As a consequence of loneliness, one of the most prevalent complaints is emotional and psychological problems. In view of this, training must sufficiently enable nurses to respond to the various demands of aging, in order to promote quality of life and comprehensive care. Although nurses use various care instruments, such as consultations, health education, home visits and group activities, the fragmentation of care for the elderly is still perceived, which tends to present multiple comorbidities, usually treated in isolation through protocols named for diseases. , demonstrating the need for the collective construction of specific protocols for comprehensive health in longevity. Allied to this, professionals perform preventive and health-promoting practices, however, they are confused between their concepts, evidencing the need for clarification and strengthening of teaching.