Epidemiological profile of elderly included in the elderly people accompanying program (programa acompanhante de idosos - pai)

OBJECTIVE: The following study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of elderly people included in the Elderly People Accompanying Program (Programa Acompanhante de Idosos - PAI) of the Health Department of the city of Sao Paulo. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional survey. The sample consisted of 100 elderly people of both sexes, aged 60 years or older, living in São Paulo, assisted by the PAI Program at a Basic Health Unit in São Paulo city. A formulary was filled with socio-demographic, health and leisure data in order to delineate the epidemiological profile of the population studied. This paper was submitted to the Research Ethics Committee of the Department of Health of the city of Sao Paulo, obtaining its assent. RESULTS: Regarding socio-demographic data, we found a prevalence of elderly octogenarians (52%), women (74%), widows (47%), Catholic (81%), elementary level of education (37%), with no caregivers (78%) and who did not live alone (76%). Leisure activities were carried out by 86% of the population. Regarding health data, 72% were not hospitalized during the previous year, and the prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases was of 100%. Mild functional dependency was present in 42%; those with total autonomy were 56%, and 95% had a simple care plan. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the elderly studied were octogenarians, mostly female, with low level of education, with total autonomy, although 42% had mild functional dependence characterizing a profile of active aging.