ABSTRACT
Objective
Understand the social consequences experienced by elderly affected by venous ulcers.
Methodology
descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach carried out in 2012 with eight participants at a physiotherapy clinic in the state of Bahia. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through Bardin’s thematic content analysis.
Results
They showed that elderly patients with venous leg ulcers have become victims of prejudice, discrimination and have experienced embarrassment and shame in their daily routines because of the chronic wounds in their bodies, which makes than different from other people.
Final considerations
the presence of chronic wounds has social implications and is associated to a human suffering process. Thus, dealing with older people with venous leg ulcers requires technical and scientific skills, as well as whole and humanized care by the nursing staff.
Varicose ulcer; Elderly; Social stigma; Nursing