[Needs perceived by elderly women living alone and receiving home care: a qualitative study]. / Necesidades percibidas por mujeres mayores que viven solas y reciben atención domiciliaria: investigación cualitativa.

OBJECTIVE: To explore self-perceived health in women aged more than 75 years old living alone who received home care, as well as their satisfaction with social services. METHOD: A qualitative study was performed. Through a descriptive analysis of discursive content, we identified the opinions of a group of women who had become almost invisible because of their isolation. The textual data obtained from the 8 interviewees were transcribed and analyzed using a content analysis approach. We then used the Atlas-ti program to generate the results. RESULTS: We observed that the initial home care received by the interviewees was diverse and complementary, and that in most cases these women had physical handicaps, felt alone, had low self-esteem, and were despaired of the future. These women were generally satisfied with the health services provided, although they had serious difficulties in expressing their needs. Finally, by way of conclusion, we believe that while legislative measures are being taken to provide solutions that go beyond simply containing the problem, nursing professionals should remain alert and establish channels to mobilize resources that could provide answers quickly and effectively.