EL CUIDADO DEL ENFERMERO AL ANCIANO EN LA ESTRATEGIA SALUD DE LA FAMILIA

: : : : A qualitative descriptive study, aiming at describing and discussing nursing care for the elderly in the family health strategy (FHS), as well as analyzing the aspects that facilitate or hinder this care. Study participants were 12 nurses. Data were collected from April to June, 2008 in basic health units in Teresina, PI, Brazil, through semistructured interview and discussed on the basis of Bardin’s content analysis theory. Results highlighted four categories: methods of caring for the elderly in the FHS; nursing care strategies in primary care of the elderly; diversity of psychosocial and family care of the elderly by nurses in FHS; limits of effective nursing care to the elderly. Care based on human values such as respect and solidarity stood out, despite limitations such as lack of human and material resources, professional training, and inadequate physical structure.