Atuação dos enfermeiros na adesão terapêutica da pessoa idosa com doença crônica não transmissível na atenção primária à saúde

Abstract

The aging of the Brazilian population has led to significant transformations in healthcare demands, especially in the care of elderly people with Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases, given the complexity and specific needs of this group. In this context, therapeutic adherence emerges as a central element for clinical management and the promotion of quality of life. In Primary Health Care, nurses occupy a strategic position in coordinating care and implementing practices that favor adherence to treatment. This study aimed to analyze the role of nurses in the therapeutic adherence of elderly people with Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases in Primary Health Care. This is a descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach, conducted with nurses from the Family Health Strategy teams working in the municipality of Marechal Deodoro (Alagoas), through semi-structured interviews carried out between September and October 2025. Data analysis followed Bardin's technique, including pre-analysis, exploration of the material, and interpretation of the results. Nineteen nurses participated in the study, mostly women, with an average age of 45.9 years and an average of 14.9 years of nursing experience. Approximately 78% held postgraduate degrees, and half had participated in training on the care of elderly people with chronic diseases. The nurses' practices aimed at promoting therapeutic adherence in elderly people with non-communicable chronic diseases involve clinical, educational, and relational dimensions, coordinating consultations, clinical monitoring, workflow organization, home visits, and collaborative work with community health workers. Analysis of the interviews revealed barriers related to family, socioeconomic, educational, and cultural factors, as well as structural limitations in Primary Health Care and work overload. To strengthen adherence, nurses utilize educational strategies adapted to the elderly person's conditions, visual resources, clear communication about risks, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the building of affective bonds, promoting active participation and co-responsibility in care. These findings indicate that therapeutic adherence depends not only on the elderly person's willingness, but also on the sensitive, relational, and contextualized actions of the nurse, integrating technical, educational, and affective aspects within the area of practice.