Characterization of the elderly assistance in health care facilities

The family health care facilities are mainly responsible for the assistance of the elderly considering that the majority don’t have the condition to utilize private health care due to both, low income and poor house conditions.  This study aims to characterize the elderly assistance in Basic Units of Health. It utilized data from the Information System of Basic Attention of DATASUS, from 2004 through 2006, supplied by the local Health Office in João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil.  The figures pointed to a rise in the number of elderly registered in the city.  In addition, it shows the area of coverage being concentrated in crowded neighborhoods also indicating cardiovascular illness as the major cause of death among this population. Through the years health teams have succeeded both, in convincing the elderly to register at local health stations and to engage in specific age groups.  Despite having the <<HiperDia>> which gears assistance towards their health needs, this population, although representative of the group who received the most number of home visits, is still the smallest engaged in activities at local health offices.