The aim of this study was to characterize the sociodemographic aspects, health issues and social support offered to the senior users of the Emergency Department of the Hospital de Clinicas in Porto Alegre. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a random sample of 220 seniors. A structured data form was used to collect data related to the sociodemographic and health characteristics and social support. The majority of subjects were women, married, retired, from Porto Alegre, and aged from 60 to 69 years. Almost half reported having poor or very poor health and the prevalent self-reported morbidities were cardiovascular diseases. Differently from other studies with seniors from the community, the majority reported receiving support from family and few provided support. Social support from the formal network was small. Health care must occur in a comprehensive network to provide support to the seniors and their families and to prevent the frequent use of emergency services and to qualify assistance.
Seniors; Emergency service, hospital; Social support; Health of the elderly; Nursing
