nÃo hà / O envelhecimento populacional ocorre de forma globalizada. à um fenÃmeno sem precedentes. à medida que as sociedades envelhecem, geram problemas de saÃde, desafiando os sistemas de saÃde, particularmente o SUS, no caso brasileiro. Este à um estudo descritivo, tendo enfoque quantitativo e qualitativo. A pesquisa teve por objetivo geral avaliar a atenÃÃo à saÃde da pessoa idosa na EstratÃgia SaÃde da FamÃlia (ESF), na comunidade do DendÃ, em Fortaleza, e, por objetivos especÃficos: identificar o perfil socioeconÃmico, demogrÃfico e de saÃde dos idosos da comunidade do DendÃ; apreender a percepÃÃo dos idosos acerca da atenÃÃo à saÃde prestada pela ESF do CSF Matos Dourado; caracterizar os profissionais de saÃde e identificar se sÃo capacitados para o atendimento ao idoso e sugerir estratÃgias e/ou aÃÃes que promovam atenÃÃo integral e integrada à saÃde da pessoa idosa. O estudo foi desenvolvido em dois locais: comunidade do Dendà e no Centro de SaÃde da FamÃlia Matos Dourado, localizados no Bairro Edson Queiroz. Na fase quantitativa, foram utilizados questionÃrios como instrumentos de coleta tanto para idosos e para profissionais de saÃde. Em relaÃÃo aos idosos, foram pesquisados 99, residentes na Comunidade do DendÃ, e, em relaÃÃo aos profissionais de saÃde, responderam o questionÃrio quatro enfermeiras e trÃs mÃdicos. Os dados foram analisados pelo Epi-Info versÃo 6.0. Na fase qualitativa, utilizou-se como mÃtodo de coleta de dados a entrevista em profundidade, tendo sido entrevistados oito idosos, e o grupo focal, com a participaÃÃo de seis agentes comunitÃrios de saÃde. Os dados foram analisados por meio do mÃtodo HermenÃutica da Profundidade, preconizado por Thompson (1995). Os idosos do Dendà vivem em casas com infraestrutura precÃria e sem saneamento bÃsico. Eles tÃm origem no campo (69,7%) e idade mÃdia de 69,7 anos. SÃo em sua maioria mulheres (60,6%), casados (47,4%), pardos (84,8%), catÃlicos (63,6%), aposentados ou pensionistas (82,8%), com baixo poder aquisitivo, tendo como renda familiar um a dois salÃrios-mÃnimos (67,6%) e possuem baixa escolaridade (76,7%). Possuem elevada morbidade fÃsica, principalmente das DCNT e seus fatores de risco, e autoavaliam a saÃde como de regular a ruim (72,4%). Os longevos tÃm a percepÃÃo de que os serviÃos prestados pelo PSF apresentam deficiÃncias, pois, mesmo satisfeitos (65,6%), e referindo que este melhorou efetivamente suas vidas (70,9%), mudariam do CSF ou de profissional de saÃde se fosse fÃcil fazer (41,4%). A anÃlise dos dados aponta que a insatisfaÃÃo com o PSF està ligada a dificuldades de acesso à consulta mÃdica, ao acompanhamento longitudinal e à integralidade da atenÃÃo. Em relaÃÃo à atenÃÃo que à prestada aos idosos, podemos concluir que nÃo à adequada, pois nÃo atende bem suas necessidades. O caminho para solucionar esses problemas passa pelo fortalecimento da ESF. Para isso, à essencial investir na infraestrutura e na qualificaÃÃo profissional, montando equipes completas e multiprofissionais. A saÃde do idoso se faz prioridade, sendo um desafio que envolve decisÃes polÃticas e uma conscientizaÃÃo da sociedade no tocante aos cuidados, respeito e solidariedade para com seus idosos. / Population aging occurs in a globalized manner. It is an unprecedented phenomenon. As societies grow old, they give birth to health problems that challenge health systems, particularly the âSUS‟ (Unified Health System), in the Brazilian case. This is a descriptive study having both quantitative and qualitative focus. The research had as its general objective the attention given to the aged person in the Family-Heealth Strategy (ESF) at the community of âDendÃ‟ in Fortaleza and the following specific goals: to identify the socioeconomic and demographic profiles, as well as the profile of the health situation of the aged population at the âDendÃ‟ community; to apprehend the perception of the aged themselves regarding the attention given to them by the âESF‟ of the âMattos Dourado‟ Family Health Center; to characterize the health professionals and to check whether they are duly qualified to give healthcare assistance to the aged and suggest strategies and/or actions aiming at an integral and integrated to the health of the old person. The study was carried out at two locations: at the community of âDendÃ‟ and at the âMattos Dourado‟ Family Health Center, located at âEdson Queiroz‟ neighborhood. During the quantitative phase, questionnaires were used as collecting instruments for the aged and for the health professionals. With respect to the aged, 99 residents of the âDendÃ‟ Community were researched and, as to health professionals, four Nurses and three Medical Doctors answered the questionnaire. The corresponding data were analized by way of the âEpi-Info Version 6.0‟. During the quantitative phase, the âIn-Depth Interview‟ technique for data collection was conducted, and eight aged persons were interviewed as well as the focal group with the participation of six community health agents. The data were analized by way of the âIn-Depth Hermeneutics‟ method advocated by Thompson (1995). The âDendà Community‟ aged persons live in homes with precarious infrastructure and no basic sanitation whatsoever. They come from the countryside (69.7%), and are at an average age of 69.7 years old. The majority of them are women (60.6%), married (47.4%), of dusky complexion (84.8%), catholics (63.6%), retired or pensioners (82.8%), with very low income, having as their family income one or two minimum monthly wages (67.6%) and a low level of education (76.7%). They display high physical morbidity, chiefly related to (DCNT) ‟Cronic Non-Communicable Diseases‟ and their risk factors, andself-evaluate their own health conditions from middling to poor (72.4%). The oldest individuals have the perception that the health services rendered by the (PSF) âFamily-Health Program‟ have been rather inefficient, since even being satisfied (65.6%), and admitting that the referred to health services have improved the quality of their lives (70.9%), they would leave the âFamily-Health Center‟ or their health professional if that were easy for them to do (41.4%). The data analysis suggests that the dissatisfaction regarding the âPSF‟ results from the access hurdles encountered to get medical appointments, the lack of longitudinal follow-up medical monitoring and the lack of comprehensive attention needed by the aged. In relation to the attention that is rendered to the aged, we can come to the conclusion that it is not adequate, since it does not meet their needs. The way to solve those problems points toward the strengthening of the âESF‟. To achieve such and endeavor, it is essential to invest in infrastructure and professional qualification, by organizing complete and multiprofessional teams. The health of the aged has priority, as a challenge that involves political decisions and awareness on the part of the society regarding care, respect and solidarity for their old citizens.