Cuidado idoso

OPINIÃO OPINION

839

Abordagem do idoso em programas de saúde da família Approach to the elderly in family health programs

Jorge Alexandre Silvestre 1 Milton Menezes da Costa Neto

2

1 Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal de Rio Grande. Rua Engenheiro Alfredo Huch 475, Rio Grande, RS 96201-900, Brasil. 2 Centro de Saúde de Candangolândia, Secretaria de Saúde do Distrito Federal. Área Especial 5/7, Lote 17, Candangolândia, DF 71725-500, Brasil.

Abstract This article discusses the role of the Brazilian National Policy for Senior Citizens’ Health in the promotion of healthy aging, preservation and improvement of functional capacity in the elderly, disease prevention, recovery of those who fall ill, and rehabilitation of those with limited functional capacity, will the goal of ensuring that senior citizens can remain in their surroundings and independently exercise their functions in society. Care for the elderly should be based primarily on the family, with support from primary health care services, under the family health strategy, representing a link between the elderly and the health system. The article goes on to list some health problems among the elderly in which family health programs can have a major impact. The Family Health Strategy in Brazil is analyzed in relation to health care for the elderly, along with the responsibilities, skills, and attributions required by the health care team. Key words Family Health Program; Aging Health; Health Services for the Aged Resumo Discorre-se sobre a Política Nacional de Saúde do Idoso cujo propósito basilar reside na promoção do envelhecimento saudável, na manutenção e melhoria, ao máximo, da capacidade funcional dos idosos, na prevenção de doenças, na recuperação da saúde dos que adoecem e na reabilitação daqueles que venham a ter a sua capacidade funcional restringida, de modo a garantir-lhes permanência no meio em que vivem, exercendo de forma independente suas funções na