HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY: PUBLIC POLICIES FOR THE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY

Abstract

This course completion paper aims to analyze public health policies aimed at the elderly population in Brazil, focusing on their effectiveness and the challenges faced during their implementation. The research is exploratory and descriptive in nature, using documentary analysis and bibliographic review to examine official documents, legislation, and academic studies related to the subject. The results indicate that, although Brazil has advanced in the creation of specific policies, such as the Statute of the Elderly and the National Health Policy for the Elderly, there are significant gaps in their implementation. Regional inequalities in access to health services, lack of adequate training of health professionals, and insufficient resources are the main challenges identified. Regions such as the North and Northeast face greater difficulties compared to the South and Southeast, reflecting an unequal distribution of infrastructure and resources. The survey also highlights the need to adapt international good practices, such as home care programs and the integration of different levels of health care, to improve the effectiveness of public policies in Brazil. It is concluded that, in order to promote active and healthy aging, it is essential that public policies are continuously improved, with a focus on equity and professional training. This study contributes to the understanding of the limitations and potentialities of health policies for the elderly in Brazil, offering subsidies for the formulation of more effective strategies that can guarantee the quality of life of the elderly population.