Aged care services and home health care and institutional strategies

INTRODUCTION: Health care networks are critical in assisting the elderly population in several aspects. Home care, the Senior Companion Program [Programa Acompanhante de Idosos] of São Paulo Municipal Health Departament and institutions for the aged compose networks to assist the elderly. It is necessary to analyze how the network is established between these services and features that demand care. OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare home care services, the Senior Companion Program, and institutions for the aged as to possible differences and similarities, user's demand, flow and care management services. METHODS: We carried out a non-exhaustive literature review of national literature published in electronic databases SciELO and LILACS in literary and electronic references in the period from 1997 to 2012. RESULTS: In total, 32 studies were included in the review. It was observed that the served population is predominantly female, with advanced age, and receive multidisciplinary care. Home care services and the Senior Companion Program value the maintenance of family and community as a setting, delaying institutionalization. The presence of the caregiver showed up as one of the most influential factors for the permanence of home care. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the revised services have objectives that address the needs of the elderly. It is expected that the integration of health facilities establish their actions according to the profile of the elderly and characteristics of care offered at each service.