OBJECTIVE: To analyze the profile and degree of dependency of elderly users of a home care center, as well as the profile and burden their caregivers. METHODS: Exploratory and descriptive study with a sample consisting of 31 elderly and 31 caregivers. Data collection was conducted through interviews at home, using a semi-structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic variables. To assess the degree of dependency of the elderly, the Katz Index and Lawton Scale were used, and the burden of caregivers was measured using the Zarit Burden Interview Scale. RESULTS: A high percentage of elderly patients were identified with total dependence for basic and instrumental activities of daily living, with a statistically significant variable in relation to caregiver burden and perception of their health status. CONCLUSION: The analysis of variables can contribute to the design of intervention proposals based on the real needs of the group studied.
Health of the elderly; Home nursing; Health promotion
