There has been an increase of chronic diseases with the subsequent need for care and hospitalization, due to the acceleration of the elderly demographic growth. The objective of the present paper is to reflect on the care of nursing and the autonomy of the human being under the condition of elderly hospitalization. Nursing professionals, caring in the hospital ambient, can contribute significantly for the construction of the elderly autonomy and participation on the decision making about their need for attention or health care. The ethics redeeming, under a worthy aging perspective, permeates several discussions in the aging society and, specifically, among health professionals who act in hospital institutions.
Nursing; Elderly; Autonomy; Hospital assistance