Perfil e prática de gestores municipais da atenção à saúde da pessoa idosa no Amazonas

Abstract

In Brazil, although legislation for the elderly is quite advanced, its implementation in practice has been very challenging, requiring greater efforts to promote autonomy and healthy aging, considering the significant changes in human population dynamics and the emergence of new challenges and opportunities for the age group over 60 years. In Amazonas, specific challenges such as geography, territorial dynamics, and cultural diversity require innovative solutions that meet the specific needs of its population. It is assumed that for effective management of public health policies aimed at implementing a care line for the health of the elderly, quick and timely deliberations are imperative to realize the existing policies. This study aims to analyze the profile of technical managers responsible for the implementation of health policies for the elderly. This is a descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional research with a quantitative approach. Data collection took place through an online interview conducted via audio/video telephone calls with health action managers for elderly individuals in the Amazon municipalities in the year 2024. The study shows that the management of health actions for elderly individuals in the municipalities of Amazonas has a profile of young women in the workforce, that the interviewees have an average age of 40.4 years (±8.73), are temporarily linked to the Municipal Health Department, have been working in the department for an average of only ±2.51 years (3.12), and are graduates in Nursing. It also indicates that 89.2% of the interviewees share management responsibilities with other health actions, 65.71% are unaware of legal frameworks and other guiding documents, 54.3% have previous management experience, and 45.7% lack representation in the Municipal Councils for the Elderly. The study shows that the participating municipalities have demonstrated intentionality in the improvement, maintenance, and recovery of the functional capacity of elderly individuals. However, weaknesses in the management of elderly health are identified, expressed by: a lack of training in aging and public health policy management; and a vulnerable employment relationship, demonstrating the need to reduce job insecurity to prevent disruptions in work processes, interrupt the continuity of care, and detriment to the quality of services offered. It is recommended to invest in professional training and avoid turnover and overload of technicians to ensure management that promotes a line of care appropriate to the population's demands.