SERVICE FOR ELDERLY IN PRIMARY CARE HEALTH: SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS

Objective: To evaluate the service offered to the elderly in primary care from the perspective of social representations. Methods: Exploratory study conducted in a qualitative approach with seventy elderly treated in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) Rangel II, in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil. Data were collected from a semi-structured interview. The data obtained were analyzed with the help of software Alceste and interpreted in theoretical social representations. Results: The results indicate two classes or categories: a) dimensions socio-affective represented: bad service, slow and white hair; b) experiences with the service: accept, good, doctor, medical service, well, aging, experience and little. Conclusion: the elderly evaluate the service with negative content emphasized in the speeches: failure to care of real needs of the elderly, the elderly distance service; little user interaction with the service and not use the strategy of reception. The latter is now one of the most important tools to be used in Family Health Strategies.