OBJECTIVE: To know the meaning attributed by health professionals to the care of institutionalized elderly. METHOD: Qualitative, exploratory-descriptive research, carried out in a long-term care institution for the elderly located in central Rio Grande do Sul state. Fourteen health professionals took part in the study, including nurses, pharmacist, physiotherapist, doctor, nutritionist, and nursing technicians. Data were collected between August and September 2009, through a semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Data analysis has resulted in three categories: Caring for the elderly, Realizing the multidisciplinary team, and Facing the new reality. CONCLUSION: the care of the institutionalized elderly is a growing challenge for health professionals, and it needs to be coped with through multidisciplinary work.
Geriatric Nursing; Patient Care Team; Homes for the Aged; Long-term care institution for the elderly