to interpret life histories of the oldest-old in a community, grounded on the perspective of the Active Aging and Life Course.
this is a qualitative research. Participants included twenty seniors 80 years and older, users of a Basic Health Unit. Life histories were collected and analyzed according to the proposition of the Autobiographical Narrative Interview.
during the analytic process, elements found in the elders' present and past arose, contributing to the development of a theoretical model: "Building longevity along the life course."
longevity is rooted in the past, strongly influenced by the family culture and life course; assumptions of the Active Aging are more meaningful in the informants' present trajectory. The content of the narratives pointed to new possibilities of Gerontology Nursing intervention in Primary Care, aiming at health promotion and intervention, specially grounded on the respect to the oldest-elders' culture.