Characterization of older individuals hospitalized in an emergency ward as regards social and programmatic vulnerability

The increase in elderly population will result in major socioeconomic changes, which will directly affect the health care sector. The study aimed characterizes hospitalized older individuals as regards social and programmatic vulnerability. It is a quantitative study performed at the Ward for Adult Patients at the Emergency Unit of the Botucatu University Hospital - UNESP. Data were collected from May to October, 2009 by means of interviews and information from patients' charts. The sample consisted of 71 individuals whose mean age was 74.30 years. Most of them lived with a relative and were assisted by a health care service, but only eight were members of a community association or participated in other forms of social leisure. Integrated care to older persons must urgently become a reality, and an individual approach focused on the person rather than on one's disease must be utilized, paying attention to older patients' vulnerabilities and respecting their autonomy and dignity.

Nursing; Vulnerability; Health of the Elderly