Assistência social e de saúde da população idosa na região do Seridó/RN: revisão de escopo

Abstract

Brazil has witnessed the advancement of its aging population, which is a global trend, but it is essential to consider the regional and social particularities of the country. This process affects crucial areas such as social security, health, and social assistance, making it vital to understand the scientific production on the elderly, as in this study, which focuses on the Seridó region in Rio Grande do Norte. Objective: To analyze the studies in the areas of social assistance and health concerning the elderly, conducted in the Seridó region of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This is a scoping review, based on the PRISMA-ScR Checklist and the mnemonic strategy PCC, where P (population) refers to elderly people, C (concept) refers to studies in health and social service areas, and C (context) refers to the Seridó region in Rio Grande do Norte. The studies focused on areas such as quality of life, leisure, the perspective of the elderly, frailties, vulnerabilities, and the psychobiological conditions involved in aging. The scarcity of production in the field of human sciences is highlighted, particularly regarding minority groups, underscoring the need to expand intervention actions and promote the dissemination of the subject. To this end, it is essential to strengthen education through study and research groups, encouraging the training of new professionals and the enhancement of the practice of those already active. These initiatives must be converted into effective public policies through intersectoral coordination among local facilities and managers. Policies should prioritize the social participation of the elderly, placing them at the center of decision-making and respecting their real needs.