Speech-language therapy to elderly patients in a health care network in Florianópolis: a health surveillance initiative.

PURPOSE: To investigate aspects of health care provided to the elderly, as a way to undertake health surveillance initiatives.

METHODS: Cross-sectional quantitative study with elderly people who participate in health promotion groups in health centers at Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Surveys were conducted on aspects relative to comprehensive health care provision, namely, records of the Family Health Strategy, diagnosis, awareness of initiatives to treat non-communicable diseases, as well as awareness of related risks and complications. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed of the profile and perception of elderly patients about comprehensive health care.

RESULTS: Were interviewed 58 elderly patients; 94.83% of them reported having Arterial Hypertension (AH); 44.83%, Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and 39.66% reported having both comorbidities. Only a small part of the participants was aware of initiatives promoted by health centers for treatment of AH and DM; thus, there is little participation of the elderly in such initiatives. It was found that these patients still have limited awareness of the risks of not treating chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

CONCLUSION: The population's lack of awareness of primary health care initiatives and low adherence must be addressed by primary health care policies. Importantly, awareness-raising proposals that seek to integrate health promotion and disease prevention may bring comprehensive health care provision to the elderly, thus strengthening health surveillance initiatives.