HEALTH-DISEASE CONCEPTS ACCORDING TO LOW INCOME AGED PEOPLE’S PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the concepts of health and illness of elders with low income. It is a qualitative exploratory-descriptive study focusing 50 elders in their residence. The data had been collected using a structured interview with script, approaching the sociodemographics data and health and illness conceptions. It was observed that the health concepts are related with the following aspects: absence of illnesses, state and emotional wellness, capacity to carry through the activities of daily life and to work besides partner-sanitary conditions. The illness concepts are related with subjective aspects, absence of health, social problems, physical symptoms and carelessness. It was verified that the health-illness process is related to the cultural and social context; life of the elders, and the knowledge they acquire through contact they have with health professionals. The conceptions of health guide the search of professional aid highlighting the importance of these concepts as part of the knowledge of those ones who deal with the elders.