THE AGING PROCESS AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY: CONTRIBUTIONS OF NURSES IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Abstract

This article sought to identify the impacts of the aging process on the mental health of older adults and the contributions of nurses in Primary Health Care to promoting comprehensive care for this population. This is an integrative literature review conducted in the Virtual Health Library, using studies published within the last six years and available free of charge in full text in Portuguese and English. The studies were selected according to previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria, enabling the analysis of scientific evidence related to the topic. The findings showed that aging is associated with biopsychosocial changes that may compromise the mental health of older adults, particularly cognitive decline, reduced functional capacity, and increased vulnerability to disorders such as depression, anxiety, and major neurocognitive disorder. The results also demonstrated that nurses working in Primary Health Care play a fundamental role in the early identification of health problems, implementation of educational actions, continuous monitoring, and strengthening of family and community support. It is concluded that nursing plays a strategic role in promoting the mental health of older adults, contributing to disease prevention, maintenance of autonomy, and the promotion of healthy aging with improved quality of life.