Perfil socioeconômico e de saúde dos idosos participantes de um grupo de convivência

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the socialeconomic and healthy profile of elderly people participating in Conviver - a social group for elderly in Estação city, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Methodology: this is a transversal cohort study, with 51 elderly people. Data were collected using part of an instrument used in a multidimensional research of life condition of elderly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, developed by State Counseling of Elderly in 1995/1996. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and discussion was based on literature. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Regional Integrada do Alto Uruguai e das Missões - Campus de Erechim/RS (127/PGH/07). Results: the participants of this study were age 65 to 70 years old, mostly females sex, married, with low school level and low income. Most of them were retired and live with up to two wages monthly. Conclusion: because they participate in this group, they may face the process of aging as a tranquil and healthier period, living with other elderly, exchanging experiences, having physical and leisure activities. It is notorious it is necessary to invest in public policies - gender and social class - focusing the elderly is his biological, emotional, social, environmental and cultural dimension. Descriptors: aged; aging; social group; health.