The accelerated aging of the Brazilian population will certainly increase the number of institutionalized elderly. Based on this focus, this descriptive and exploratory study was carried out at three asylum institutions in Natal (RN), Brazil, with a view to characterizing the elderly living there, as well as identifying the socioeconomic and health problems and causes that took them to the asylum. The sample consisted of 30% of the total number of elderly in each asylum. These are philanthropic institutions and give shelter to poor elderly persons. Results showed that the three institutions' socioeconomic and health characteristics were similar to what is found in literature, with few financial conditions, family contact marked by conflict, lack or absence of leisure activities, precarious health, restricted medical and nursing care and absence of private health plans. Our reflections on the socioeconomic and health conditions of these persons led to the conclusion that public bodies need to take actions to safeguard their civil rights.
asylum; aged; health of the elderly; population characteristics
