Potencialidades dos meios complementares de diagnóstico na promoção da saúde e qualidade de vida dos idosos

The elderly currently represents the largest demographic group in Portugal (64% of the population in 2022 was over 65 years old) (INE, 2024). Therefore, healthcare services must be adapted to promote health and enhance the quality of life of the aging population effectively and efficiently. Statistical data indicate that there has been an increasing reliance on hospital emergency services in Portugal. The primary cause of this rise is the difficulty in accessing local healthcare services. These data also revealed an increase in the demand for complementary diagnostic and therapeutic methods in recent years, driven by the need for more precise diagnoses for an aging population with multiple comorbidities associated with advanced age. Two significant concepts have emerged in the healthcare field: personalized medicine and digital health, which should be made accessible to the largest demographic group—elderly individuals. However, they face institutional and financial barriers as they require new learning, organizational methodological changes, and high installation costs. The literature suggests that the implementation of diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, such as clinical analyses, imaging exams, and physiotherapy, closer to the population would lead to better health outcomes and a reduction in the effective costs of treating diseases at more advanced stages. It would also reduce dependency among the elderly population by improving access to healthcare services and enhancing their quality of life.