Health education for seniors: an analysis under Paulo Freire’s perspective

Abstract

Background: The ageing population is one of the hardest challenges for current public health. However, for proper attention to the elders, the development of reachable social and health policies consistent with the real needs of this population is essential. Thus, this research aimed to analyse the perceptions of nurses about health education for the elderly, drawing upon the conceptions of Paulo Freire. Method: This descriptive study utilised a qualitative approach conducted in the city of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil within the Unidades de Saúde da Família-USF (Family Health Units). Eighteen nurses participated in this study. A semi-structured interview was used for gathering data that was analysed according to content. The analysis of the obtained data began with the conception by Paulo Freire and from some relevant articles related to the topic.

Alcohol and drugs in adolescence: work process in health in school program

“…It is important to highlight that an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work is key , requiring that all primary care professionals participate in the process to better planning and implementation of activities 7 . It is necessary that the professionals are able to interact with this vulnerable population, considering that is exposed to constant biopsychological changes.…”

“…In this way, the need to promote changes through the inclusion of concepts such as interdisciplinary and intersectoriality , subject empowerment and quality of life are highlighted, which are understood as elements that must sustain a new practice of formation and performance, having as reference the health promotion 10 . The continuing education of these professionals also reveals itself as an important factor for the promotion of changes in the nurses' way of acting, making possible a collective work with all those involved in the actions, in order to transmit and absorb knowledge, experiences and learning, as also adequately respond to the complexity of the problems encountered in health reality in its service scope 7,10,11 . When talking about health in the school environment, still there are difficulties of interaction between the public sectors of health and education, which must go hand in hand for effective action.…”

Concepts and movements in health promotion to guide educational practices

“…According to Bezerra et al 22 , the health/disease process was signifi cantly impacted by political, social, economic and cultural changes in recent centuries. This has infl uenced the provision of health services, as well as the quality of life of the population.…”