Identifying needs and possible solutions: with the word, elderly people in Primary Health Care

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to understand the perception of elderly people about health care promoted by professionals from the Family Health Strategy and the Family Health Support Center in order to meet their needs. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative methodological approach, based on the perspective of users of Primary Health Care in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The focal group was used as a methodological resource, and the data were analyzed based on the Content Analysis method, in the thematic modality. The results were classified into three thematic units: (I) Need for good living conditions; (II) Need for access to health services; and (III) Possibilities to meet the needs listed. The realization of this research shows that the needs of the elderly, in the scenario studied, demand intersectoral actions. It also points out elements for a critical reflection on the importance of adopting strategies at the three levels of management to improve social determinants and reduce the health problems of these people.