Objective: To describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of elderly living in long-stay institutions in the municipality of João Pessoa.
Method:Cross-sectional study, descriptive, population character.This study consisted of 324 elderly, living in six long-stay institutions for elderly in the municipality of João Pessoa. Data was collected by means of questionnaires to the elderly and/or responsible people, and analysis of patient records, and it was analyzed through descriptive statistics.Results: 75.31% (244/324) are female. The average age between genres as 81.17 years, most unmarried, white; 53.69% unnaducated; 57.95% have an average of only 2.16 years of formal education; 64.46% were referred by relatives. Hypertension, osteoarticular and neurological diseases were the most prevalent medical conditions.
Conclusion:It highlighted the importance of qualified healthcare professionals, the pressing need for public healthcare policies directed to the particularities of this population, and a greater presence of the State in the institutions.