Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective to understand the meaning of care from the perspective of resident older adults, family members and professionals from Long-Term Care Institutions for Older Adults. Method a descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach, developed with 14 resident older adults, 35 family members and 41 professionals from Long Term Care Institutions for Older Adults, located in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil. The data were collected between May 2017 and January 2018, being organized through the Atlas.ti software for the analysis of qualitative data and analyzed according to the content analysis method proposed by Bardin, in the light of the Theory of Social Representations. Results for the older adults, care was linked to three main dimensions: technical care related to the institution, family care, and self-care. The meaning of care from the perspective of family members was related to the moment experienced with the institutionalization of the aged family member, mainly characterized by the dimensions of affective care, when providing comfort and technical care. For the professionals, technical care was related to the affective character. Conclusion care could be understood in different ways, from different perspectives, but it also made it possible to identify points of synchrony among the participants.
Highlights
In the last decades, Brazil has experienced demographic dynamics marked by an aging population, characterized by an increase in life expectancy and a reduction in the birth rate
Suggested by the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (Sociedade Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia, SBGG), the term ILPI arose from the need for institutions to stop being part of the social assistance network and join the health care network
The results showed that the meaning of care for the interviewees was related to the current moment of life of the group to which they belong, whether of the resident older adults, family members or professionals of the ILPIs
Summary
Brazil has experienced demographic dynamics marked by an aging population, characterized by an increase in life expectancy and a reduction in the birth rate. Current life expectancy is 72.2 years old for men and 79.4 years old for women, and it is estimated that in 2060, a quarter of the population will be over 65 years of age.[1]. The Long-Term Care Institutions for Older Adults (Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos, ILPIs) show an increasing trend in demand for these services,[3] especially considering the change in family structures, with an increase in women in the labor market and a reduction in the number of family caregivers who could provide home care for older adults.[4]. The offer of services can vary according to the legal nature of the institutions: in private ILPIs, medical assistance predominates, according to the need for more dependent aged individuals.[5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
