Fundamentals and practice of care in Gerontological Nursing - Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem

Fundamentals and practice of care in Gerontological Nursing |

Intense social, economic, political, cultural, environmental, epidemiological, and demographical transformations, coupled with accelerated technological innovation, have significantly affected life in society, requiring people to reflect about the conceptions of human nature itself. This context of transformation has incentivized individuals to value technological advances and the construction of more autonomous, global, and unstable human relationships, outlining a significant existential and sociopolitical dialectic in which individuals wish to live as long as possible, but do not accept the possible unfavorable consequences.

In this context, pioneers have attempted to overcome the natural and inherent limitations imposed by the aging process. This sentiment, coupled the new demographic reality with an increasing number of older adults, has demanded health systems to take immediate measures to address the complex demands of "being old" in general and specifically, the promotion of healthy aging. It is necessary to expand specific health services with wide-reaching health promotion and control programs that span the entire life cycle, coupled with social integration programs that aim to provide better quality of life. However, investment in support infrastructure is also necessary, to provide families with support and above all work to transform the exclusion and discrimination suffered by the most fragile.

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