SELF-PERCEPTION OF HEALTH OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO ATTEND SOCIAL GROUPS

Introduction: Knowledge of self-perceived health in the elderly is extremely important, since it enables the analysis of the health conditions of this population and factors associated with their positive and negative aspects. It is currently considered a reliable way of assessing general health status, as well as a relevant indicator of quality of life and even mortality in the elderly. Objective: To understand self-perceived health and associated factors in elderly people who attend community groups. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study was carried out in a community center in the city of São Luís, MA. A questionnaire addressing biopsychosocial data was used as data collection instruments, while self-perceived health was assessed using the Old Age Schedule questionnaire, adapted for the Brazilian population. Results: the sample consisted of 30 elderly people aged 60 to 85 years, 76% female and 24% male. The level of education varied between incomplete high school (17%) and complete higher education (83%), with 47% having an income equal to or greater than 2 minimum wages. 73% of the elderly reported having a positive self-perception of health, while 27% reported a negative self-perception. When comparing the perception of their health in relation to people of the same age, 36% of the elderly considered themselves to be in better condition than most people they know, while 64% considered themselves to be in the same health condition as most people they know. Conclusion: the results allowed us to conclude that self-perception of health can be influenced by different factors, such as level of education, financial conditions, clinical conditions, adherence to and practice of physical exercises, especially in groups. These elements can play an important role in the positive self-perception of the elderly, as was seen in the present study.