Overview of elderly health in primary care: challenges in addressing violence

Abstract

Population aging in Brazil has advanced over the past decades, with the elderly population reaching 32,113,490 people in 2022, an increase of 56% since 2010. With aging, older adults face decreased muscle mass, bone fragility, and loss of balance, increasing the risk of falls and prolonged hospitalizations, which lead to greater dependency, reduced defense capacity, and higher exposure to aggression. The Data Panel of the National Human Rights Ombudsman recorded over 90,000 reports of violence against the elderly in the first half of 2024, representing more than 62% of the 143,912 reports in 2023 and over 93% of the 95,954 reports in 2022. Thus, this study aims to analyze the multiple dimensions of elderly health, considering demographic aspects, existing public policies, and the challenges faced in Primary Health Care (PHC), focusing on cases of violence reported against this population. According to the selected literature, the aging population in Brazil has increased cases of chronic diseases, dependency, and violence against the elderly. Despite laws like the Elderly Statute, many cases go unreported due to fear or lack of support. PHC is essential to prevent and identify these issues but faces challenges such as lack of resources, overburdened teams, and difficulty accessing services. Therefore, investing in professional training, creating support services, conducting educational campaigns, and facilitating reporting are crucial steps to protect the elderly and provide better health care for this population.