The contribution of Home Care to the construction of health care networks from the perspective of health professionals and elderly users

Abstract Objective: Analyze Home Care (AD) contribution to the consolidation of Health Care Networks(RAS) from the viewpoint of professionals and elderly users. Method: Qualitative research, through a semi-structured questionnaire, was carried out.Six professionals were included, by draw, each of them from an occupational category of Home Care Service in Sao Caetano do Sul, São Paulo, Brazil, and also 34 users aged over 60 years-old, conscious and oriented, engaged for, at least one year to AD, carrying HAS and DM simultaneously. Results: Subjects’ profile - six professionals, five of them with higher education and one with technical education; average age 39, working in Home Care for approximately two years. Users were predominantly women, aged from 60 to 69 years-old, mostly married and with primary education. Data were categorized: Integrality of Health Care; Home Care and access to other health services; Training and skills in Home Care. It was observed integration among professionals of the sector, valuing biopsychosocial context and guiding actions in the care process. However, deficiency in intersectional articulation was detected. Conclusion: Co-responsibility, training and professional skills were related to an efficient service. Results showed that a humanized approach, bonding, and the effective participation of caregivers and families favor the execution of a therapeutic project and rehabilitation. Home care interconnects RAS points: de-hospitalization guides health care flow. Nevertheless, RAS members’ awareness of Home Care practice, professional training and empowerment of caregivers should be improved.