The experience of nursing students in home visits to elderly people living with dementia

Objectives: to identify the main needs of healthcare for the elderly with dementia by home visits and discuss the importance of household visits by scholars, aiming to promote the health of their clients. Method: this is a descriptive study of a kind experience report with a qualitative approach, in which seven were carried out home visits to elderly dementia participating in the Program of Geriatrics and Gerontology in Niterói - RJ, Brazil, September 1 November 24, 2009. The research received approval under No. 062/09 of the Ethics Committee of University Hospital Antonio Pedro - HUAP. Results: the visits, an evaluation of the home as their physical structure and health conditions besides providing guidance to caregivers and family members about changes in the environment and care that meet the specific needs of each client. Conclusion: the activity was very important for the students, allowing the understanding of aspects related to caring for the elderly with dementia at home by means of the holistic approach, taking into account the promotion, prevention and recovery in health. Descriptors: students nursing; home visits; health of the elderly; dementia; Alzheimer disease.RESUMOObjetivos: identificar as principais necessidades de atenção à saúde do idoso com demência através da visita domiciliar e Discutir a importância da realização de Visitas Domiciliares pelos acadêmicos, visando à promoção da saúde destes clientes. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, do tipo relato de experiência com abordagem qualitativa, no qual foram realizadas sete visitas domiciliares aos idosos demenciados que participam do Programa de Geriatria e Gerontologia no município de Niterói - RJ, no período de 1 de setembro a 24 de novembro de 2009. A pesquisa recebeu a aprovação sob nº 062/09 do Comitê de Ética do Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro – HUAP. Resultados: as visitas permitiram uma avaliação do domicílio quanto a sua estrutura física e condições sanitárias além de possibilitar a orientação aos cuidadores e/ou ...