[Comprehensive health care of the elderly in the family health program: vision of health professionals].

By the year 2025, Brazil will be the sixth country in the world with the largest elderly population. Public policies have the duty to help more people reach older ages with the best possible state of health. The objective of this study is to understand the perspective that health professionals have of comprehensive care and health needs. Subjects were seventeen health professionals who make up two teams of the Family Health Program (FHP) in the city of Santos. The subjects' statements were analyzed from the perspective of Social Representation, and using the theoretical framework of the Collective Subject Discourse. The analysis of the statements showed that the professionals are striving to meet the health needs of the elderly through actions of health prevention and promotion; however, their social and psychological needs are being met. The elderly need more integration and agility in the health system, since they have difficulties in terms of accessibility and movement in health services.