Abstract

RODRIGUEZ CABRERA, Aida; COLLAZO RAMOS, Milagros; CALERO RICARD, Jorge L  and  BAYARRE VEA, Héctor. Intersectoriality, an effective way to face aging of the Cuban population. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2013, vol.39, n.2, pp. 323-330. ISSN 0864-3466.

Introduction: The population aging is an achievement of the Cuban populations, but the consequences for the society turns it into the subject of big complex decisions. Objective: To present evidence supporting the needs for intersectoriality, in order to improve the older adult wellbeing. Methods: Documentary research study based on the collection of results from research works on the health care requirements of the elderly. Results: The frailty of the older adult increases with the age and hinders her/his daily life performance. This situation is linked to physical, mental deterioration and to economic difficulties. These events bring about lack of autonomy in the economic, affectionate and physical aspects of life and make the older people require assistance to access medications, available food, laundry service, social assistance at home, recreational activities, among other things. Intersectoriality is one of the tools of the social and community work in health. It is widely known but poorly used by the health managers and service providers. The demands imposed by the population aging in Cuba comprise the detection of real needs as well as the existing potentialities that could help in meeting them through the alliances of different sectors, where intersectoriality represents an essential path to improve the quality of life of the older adult. Conclusions: The population trends show that Cuba is facing an unprecedented situation that will have a considerable impact on the health sector, therefore; it is necessary to put forward new strategies like intersectoriality, with a view to facing this rising phenomenon.

Keywords : aging; intersectoriality; health; Cuba.

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