Institucionalización de personas mayores: determinantes y caracterización sociodemográfica

Introduction. The elderly need specific care demands, which drives families to seek hospitalization for them in long-term care institutions. Objective. To investigate, in the light of the literature, the determinants of institutionalization and the sociodemographic characteristics of institutionalized elderly. Methods. This is an integrative literature review, performed in the databases LILACS, MEDILINE, and BDENF, with the Health Science Descriptors and their respective Medical Subject Headings correspondents: elderly (aged), institutionalization (institutionalization), aging. The final sample consisted of 30 studies. Data analysis was performed using the thematic categorical analysis proposed by Bardin. Results. The determinants of institutionalization of the elderly identified were: lack of formal caregiver; lack of availability of family members; abandonment; decision of the elderly; health problems; live on the street and financial restrictions. As for sociodemographic characteristics, there was a predominance of females; age between 65 and 75 years; single and widowed; low education and low income. Final considerations. Studies, such as this one, cooperate for more effective nursing care planning, strengthening actions aimed at preventing this outcome.