POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS VOLTADAS PARA A POPULAÇÃO IDOSA: UMA AVALIAÇÃO DOS IDOSOS QUE FREQUENTAM OS CRAS DE ITUIUTABA (MG)

Abstract

The elderly population has grown and, to attend the new demands, the State presents public policies aimed at the elderly that attend their needs, guaranteeing them essential services. The objective of this study is to understand how the elderly, who attend the six Centers of Reference and Social Assistance installed in the Ituiutaba City, appreciate the public policies aimed to the elderly population, verifying their understanding of such policies of this population. For this, the elderly who participated in the activities performed by CRAS in Ituiutaba were interviewed. The results indicate that the interviewees recognize the importance of CRAS, the excellent service they receive and the need to improve physical spaces. There is a great difficulty for the elderly in understanding public policies aimed at them, as well as what rights are guaranteed by them. Another interesting result is the priority they attach to public transport and public health care, making it clear that these are the “rights” considered to be the most important. It is evident the need for more research that contribute to the valorization of the elderly, as well as their engagement in society and, above all, the guarantee of aging with quality, safety and dignity.