Estudo epidemiológico do perfil do idoso institucionalizado do interior paulista

The increase in the elderly population is a worldwide phenomenon and has different consequences not only in terms of health, but also in terms of economy. One of those consequences is the institutionalization. The understanding of this process, as well as of the reality of the institutionalized elderly is essential to develop policies of care. Goals: a) present the epidemiological profile of institutionalized elderly who live in institutions in the countryside of São PauloState and describe the development of an extension project implemented in two elderly-care institutions (IRLPI’s). Methods and procedures: data were collected in three forms, from which it was possible to verify: a) institutional data; b) social data and c) data about general and mental health. The data related to health were collected from the medication of continuous use. All data were launched into the database (Access) and subjected to the descriptive statistical analysis. Data related to mental health were confirmed from the application of clinical trials (Geriatric Depression Scale – GDS and Mini Mental State Examination: MMSE).