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Elderly People Over 60 Have Priority in SUS and Can Be Attended Before Others, Reducing Waiting Time — A Right Guaranteed by the Statute of the Elderly.
Few people know, but every Brazilian aged 60 or older has the right to be attended before others in practically all services of the Unified Health System (SUS). This benefit, guaranteed by the Statute of the Elderly (Law 10,741/2003), applies to appointments, tests, procedures, scheduling of care, and collection of medications, and it completely changes the routine of those who depend on the public system. Still, a large part of the population is unaware of this right, and many elderly people continue to face long lines simply because they do not know they can demand priority.
Maximum Priority: What the Law Really Guarantees to the Elderly in SUS
According to the Statute of the Elderly, people over 60 have immediate and individualized preferential treatment — a level of priority superior to the general public and equivalent to the priority granted to people with disabilities and pregnant women.
The only exception occurs when there is a case of emergency, where technical criteria prevail. Aside from that, the order is clear: if there is a common queue, the elderly person has preference.
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This priority applies in the following scenarios:
- Care for appointment scheduling
- Collection of tests and imaging tests
- Collection of medications at public pharmacies
- Vaccination
- Care in basic units, polyclinics, and hospitals
- Administrative sectors, such as regulation and reception
In emergency care units (UPAs and emergency rooms), the so-called risk classification still determines the order, but elderly individuals have priority when they are at the same level of severity as other patients.
Why Do Many Elderly People Still Face Long Lines?
Despite the right being guaranteed since 2003, the practice still encounters barriers:
- Lack of information among elderly individuals and their families
- Health units that do not inform about the priority
- Staff who are unaware of the legislation
- Cities without proper infrastructure to create exclusive queues
In many cases, the elderly person can only exercise this right when they request, question, or present the Statute.
The Real Impact on the Lives of Millions of Brazilians
The SUS serves about 70% of the Brazilian population, and elderly individuals today represent over 32 million people, a number that only grows. Thus, priority access is not just a benefit: it is a measure of protection and public health.
Elderly individuals face more chronic illnesses, use more medications, and need regular appointments. Long queues can worsen clinical conditions and reduce the quality of life.
Priority helps to avoid:
- Prolonged exposure to the sun or rain
- Long waits while standing
- Health decompensation risks
- Lack of access to essential appointments
And it is precisely for this reason that the Statute provides for complete priority to ensure dignity, well-being, and safety.
How Can the Elderly Demand Preferential Treatment?
If the right is not respected, the elderly person or companion can:
- Request priority directly from the attendant;
- Seek the coordination of the health unit;
- File a complaint with the SUS Ombudsman (136 or official portal);
- Register a report with the Ombudsman for the Elderly or the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
No special documents need to be presented other than a government-issued photo ID that proves age.
Elderly People Over 80 Have Priority Within Priority
Another little-known rule: those aged 80 or older have preference even over other elderly people.
This criterion was included by Law 13,466/2017.
In other words, if there is a priority queue, the elderly person aged 80+ goes to the front of the line.
Despite being guaranteed by law for over two decades, priority treatment for the elderly is still one of the most unknown rights in the country. Educational campaigns, posters in health units, and team guidance can transform the reality of millions of Brazilians who still wait longer than necessary.
Until that happens, spreading this information is essential because the right exists, it is legal, it is guaranteed, and it needs to be exercised.
Em Barra Velha não existe nos postos de saude preferencia ao idoso tem que esperar na fila normal
Descaso e principalmente Impunidade, garantem o desrespeito as leis. Nos supermercados e shoppings as vagas de idosos e PCD, são ocupadas por qualquer pessoa, fui reclamar a gerência e ouvi ” vá procurar seus direitos” … então, a quem recorrer no momento que precisamos ?? Se quem deveria garantir esse direito nos vira as costas??. Isso deveria ser uma exigência do estabelecimento aos funcionários que tem essa função…
É muito importante ter conhecimento de seus direitos e fazer uso ,tornamos pessoas responsáveis e torna a vida do idoso (a )) mais leve .