Vulnerabilidades entre pessoas idosas: um desafio atual

Abstract

The vulnerability is a condition that is present in aging and can manifest through varied dimensions and capable of influencing the quality of life of older people. The present study aimed to discuss these conditions and will be presented in the form of two articles, a theoretical essay on the topic, and a cross-sectional study using secondary data from the Unified Register of Social Care (CADÚNICO) Bolsa Família Program of the Secretariat of Social Assistance of Betim. From January 2004 to January 2011. The first article discussed the vulnerabilities from the available literature, organizing them according to the individual, social and programmatic categories. The second article compared the socioeconomic and health of active and non active seniors in the program listing. The 8,555 people aged 60 years or older, indexed in the program (5.0%), were divided into two groups : active (receiving benefits) representing 14.1% and non active (not receiving benefits) with 85,9%. These two groups were compared according to the socio-demographic characteristics, housing and disability. The statistical package of Social Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used, descriptive analyzes being performed by frequency distribution and measures of central tendency (mean and median) and dispersion (standard deviation). In addition, univariate comparative analysis between active and non-active elderly registered using the Chi-square test and Students t-test, were performed when appropriate. A p-value 0.05 for verification of statistical significance was considered, with a confidence interval of 95%. The magnitude of association between variables was evaluated by the odds ratio (odds ratio - OR). The average income of the assets in PBF was R$72.80 (standard deviation = R$56.11, Min-Max = R$0 to R$525,00) while the non assets was R$138.32 (standard deviation = R$135.11 , Min-Max = R$0 to R$1865.00). The mean age was 68 years, and the median 67 years. The elderly with younger age, single or divorced are more likely to receive the benefit of the Bolsa Família Program. A high proportion of illiteracy was found in both groups, with 41.3% for the assets in the BFP and 37.4% for non-active. As you increase the education of the elderly decreases the chance of him being active in the program. An elderly resident in a given household has 1.36 times more likely to be active in PBF when compared to those who have their own home. The PBF has great importance to the public of beneficiaries, it is a guaranteed minimum income through which seniors can earn minimum standards of quality of life and independence. However, it was also found that seniors registered in PBF, either as active or not active, are in a vulnerable situation, with low average income, low education, high illiteracy, besides having disabilities. These results call attention to the tiny effectiveness of public policies for the elderly. The programs character focuser as opposed to the principle of universality, and also the definition of income as the main criterion for inclusion in the Program, ultimately restrict the inclusion of a number of elderly who are also in poverty and vulnerability.