This exploratory-descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, attempts to identify and to classify the necessities of health care education presented by the caregivers of the elderly, based on the International Classification of the Practice of Nursing in Collective Health. The sample constituted six domiciliary garegivers. The data collection occurred during the months of September to October of 2005, through domiciliary visits, interviews, and commentary. The data had been analyzed through the content analysis. The main educational necessities of the caregivers were related to the illnesses and their injuries, the medication therapy, physical diets, and exercises. The unpreparedness of the caregivers and sparing nets of support were highlighted as significant. We deduce that taking care of the home is a permanent task, given the challenges of caregiver. However, health care education can contribute towards the safe accomplishment of this, therefore it allows that the involved ones in this process reveal their real necessities and dialogue with the health professionals making suitable actions for both possible.
Health Education; Aged; Homebound persons; Health promotion