REPRESENTATIONS OF ELDERLY CARERS, BEING ON THE ELDERLY, THE OLD AGE AND OF INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY

Abstract

Some factors have contributed to the increasing of elderly population, as the increased life expectancy, low birth rate and mortality, the demographic and epidemiological transition with the new models and family arrangements. These factors indicate the need for qualified professionals to care for the elderly population. This study investigates the perceptions of caregivers of elderly people about "being old" about "old age" and about "the institutionalized elderly." The respondents were composed of 24 caregivers of elderly people of both sexes working in different positions within the 04 nursing homes in the city of Long Term midsized of MG. The method of data collection used was semi structured interview. The calculation of data was performed by the content analysis proposed by Bardin. The results were categorized, enabling a positive and a negative view of each particular category. The elderly are considered by caregivers as an individual source of experience and wisdom, a being endowed with knowledge acquired during their long journey. Elderly was also perceived by a negative aspect, relating to a sad and lonely stage of life, that the elderly are always dependent, unable to afford their own needs. Is possible to concluded that the representations of the role of elderly and old age in society has shown different, being mentioned mostly as a stage valued and privileged. Making apparent the importance of well psychological care as with the caregivers for the elderly, because they need face the adversities that accompany old age, being possible to experience a healthy and pleasant in the elderly-caregiver relationship