[The care for institutionalized elderly perceived by the nursing team].

This article aimed to analyze the perception of the nursing team about the care of institutionalized elderly. It consists of a qualitative and exploratory study developed in the six long-term care nursing homes for elderly in the city of João Pessoa/PB, Brazil, from January to June 2013. The sample was comprised 50% of the nurses from all the institutions, totaling 13 participants, whose data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires. Content analysis was used in the study, which enabled the construction of two thematic categories: I) Perceptions of the delivery of care by the nursing staff of the institutions; II) Perceptions of the care activity to be performed by the nursing staff in the institutions. We conclude that the participants are aware of the need for an individualized and systematized care by the nursing staff, aimed to the prevention of diseases, health promotion and active aging.