ABSTRACT
Objective:
To assess the health/functioning of the older adult who consumes psychoactive substances through the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, considering the theory of complexity.
Method:
Qualitative case study, with 11 older adults, held between December 2015 and February 2016 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, using interviews, documents and non-systematic observation. It was approved by the ethics committee. The analysis followed the propositions of the case study, using the complexity of Morin as theoretical basis.
Results:
We identified older adults who consider themselves healthy and show alterations - the alterations can be exacerbated by the use of psychoactive substances - of health/functioning expected according to the natural course of aging such as: systemic arterial hypertension; depressive symptoms; dizziness; tinnitus; harmed sleep/rest; and inadequate food and water consumption.
Final consideration:
The assessment of health/functioning of older adults who use psychoactive substances, guided by complex thinking, exceeds the accuracy limits to risk the understanding of the phenomena in its complexity.
Descriptors:
Older Adult; Drug Users; International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; Geriatric Nursing; Nursing Care