Abstract:

Abstract This is an experience report, carried out in a Basic Health Unit in the Northwest region of the city of Belo Horizonte, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between the months of October and November of 2019. It aimed to present the use of the health handbook of the elderly as a literacy tool for health, in the environment of primary health care. The fifth edition of the handbook, made available by the Ministry of Health, was used during 10 home visits to 10 elderly people, in three stages comprised by filling in data, evaluating information and orientations inherent to the proposed contents. Each elderly person received a visit, received the handbook and participated in educational interventions. It was found that using of this tool in an appropriate manner led to an increase in health literacy levels, both for the elderly and professionals involved in the intervention. It allowed greater access, better understanding, and effective evaluation and use of the contents inherent to health. Based on the study, it is suggested the training of the multiprofessional team in health literacy as well as realization of studies that foster the impact of the use of the handbook on the life of elderly people and on the performance of the health team.

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