PERFIL SOCIODEMOGRÁFICO E DE SAÚDE DE IDOSAS QUE PARTICIPAM DE GRUPOS DE TERCEIRA IDADE EM RECIFE, PERNAMBUCO

Introduction: Population aging is an event being manifested throughout the world. Thus, ways have been thought of to keep the elderly inserted socially through old age groups, which represent a social support network, propitiating exchange amongst themselves and adult/young individuals, besides permitting exchange of experiences. Materials and Methods: Descriptive study conducted with two elderly groups between March and May 2015, with an intentional sample, through convenience, composed of 29 elderly women. Results and Discussion: The sample interviewed was comprised by 100% elderly women; 44.8% widows; 55.2% with schooling between 5 and 8 years of studies; 48.3% ranging in age between 70 and 79 years; 62.1% said they did not engage in physical activity; 79.3% reported participation with other groups; 82.8% take some medication; 51.7% said they had fallen down within the last 12 months, which can be related to lack of physical activity and other factors, like muscle weakness as a consequence of aging; in addition, 69% had cognitive alteration, which may be related to the high cut-off point used, 24.1% revealed depressive symptoms, evidencing the importance of these elderly groups of promoting activities to minimize them, along with a multidisciplinary team; 79.7% were able to perform most of the instrumental activities of daily living without help. Conclusions: This study permitted knowing the health profile of this elderly population, important in directing activities and specific care for the aging.