The purpose of this study is to characterize caretakers of elderly people with cognitive disorders, users of Family Health Units (FHU), that live in different contexts of social vulnerability. Household interviews were conducted (N=72) with the use of an instrument previously designed, containing socioeconomic and demographic characterization data. All ethical cares have been observed. The results show that caretakers of elderly people that live in contexts of high social vulnerability are primarily adult, married women, with incomplete elementary school education, who work at home. These caretakers live with the elderly person they are in charge of, develop a close relationship with them and do not receive help from professionals. Similar data were found in contexts of low social vulnerability, except that in those cases the support of a formal caretaker is available. The study of the profile of caretakers of elderly people with cognitive alterations living in different contexts of social vulnerability can provide FHU with subsidies so that they can formulate more specific care strategies to caretakers.
Geriatric nursing; Caretakers; Elderly; Family Health Program
