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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A caracterização da população mundial e nacional indica um aumento
considerável da população idosa. Envelhecimento e saúde são duas questões
intrinsecamente relacionadas uma vez que o prolongamento da vida está associado a
mais anos de dependência, incapacidades e prevalência de doenças crónicas. À perda
dessas capacidades está associada a fragilidade, dependência, institucionalização, risco
aumentado de quedas, problemas de mobilidade, cuidados de longa duração e
elevados custos. Por outro lado, diversas mudanças societárias provocaram uma
reorganização da estrutura familiar, levando a que não seja capaz de assegurar a cada
membro as funções que tradicionalmente lhe cabiam, nomeadamente, resolver os
problemas que hoje se colocam aos idosos.
Com este trabalho pretendeu-se identificar os fatores que mais pesaram na
decisão de institucionalização, partindo da realidade de pessoas que possuem a
vivência de estar institucionalizadas contribuindo, desta forma, para um melhor
entendimento desta realidade que permita fornecer pistas que visem prevenir ou
retardar a sua ocorrência.
Este estudo exploratório foi desenvolvido em duas valências de lar de idosos da
região da Grande Lisboa no qual participaram voluntariamente 42 idosos com idade
igual ou superior a 65 anos, sem comprometimento ao nível da função cognitiva, tendo
a recolha de dados sido efetuada através de questionário, construído com o objetivo
de conhecer as circunstâncias da institucionalização.
Apesar de não se pretender testar hipóteses ou generalizar análises, os
resultados obtidos poderão contribuir apontar para similaridades com a situação de
idosos igualmente institucionalizados.
A caracterização da população da amostra permitiu assinalar convergências
com as conclusões de diferentes estudos ao nível de fatores determinantes para a institucionalização, nomeadamente, a influência do género, idade ou situação
conjugal. No entanto, foi possível perceber que os problemas de saúde e o inerente
comprometimento ao nível da autonomia, ainda que presentes na população da
amostra, não foram manifestamente os únicos motivos que determinaram a
institucionalização, tendo sido igualmente apontada a indisponibilidade (ou ausência)
de familiares ou a solidão como fatores relevantes.
O internamento em instituições de longa permanência constitui-se como uma
realidade que pode ser vista como um ganho para algumas pessoas que, por motivos
de vária ordem que as colocam numa situação solitária e fragilizada, não encontram no
seio da comunidade uma resposta satisfatória às suas necessidades.
One of the characteristics of the worldwide and Portuguese population is the considerable growth of the number of elderly citizens. Health and ageing are two intrinsically connected issues since a longer life is associated with more years of dependence, disability and prevalence of chronic diseases. The loss of capabilities is associated with weakness, dependency, institutionalization, increased risk of falls, mobility problems, long-term care and high costs. On the other hand, several societal changes caused a reorganization of the family structure. Traditional family roles are becoming less common, in particular regarding care for ageing family members. This work aims to identify the most valued factors in the decision to institutionalize. From the accounts of institutionalized people, the goal is to contribute to a better understanding of this reality and to provide clues for preventing or delaying its occurrence. This exploratory study was carried out in two nursing homes in the Greater Lisbon area and included 42 participants. All participants were aged 65 and over, and displayed no signs of cognitive disorders. Information was gathered through a survey designed to shed light on the circumstances which might lead to institutionalization. Although the aim is not to test hypotheses or generalize analyses, the results could contribute to point out similarities with the situation of elderly also institutionalized. The characteristics of the sampled population showed convergence with the conclusions of several existing studies about the determinants of institutionalization, namely the influence of gender, age or marital status. Nevertheless, it was possible to verify that health problems and the inherent loss of independence, although present in the sampled population, were clearly not the only reasons for institutionalization. The unavailability (or absence) of family members, or loneliness were also relevant factors. For some people that due to various circumstances find themselves alone or in a fragile situation, long-term institutionalization is the best answer to needs not fulfilled by their community. Institutionalization can therefore be seen as an advantage
One of the characteristics of the worldwide and Portuguese population is the considerable growth of the number of elderly citizens. Health and ageing are two intrinsically connected issues since a longer life is associated with more years of dependence, disability and prevalence of chronic diseases. The loss of capabilities is associated with weakness, dependency, institutionalization, increased risk of falls, mobility problems, long-term care and high costs. On the other hand, several societal changes caused a reorganization of the family structure. Traditional family roles are becoming less common, in particular regarding care for ageing family members. This work aims to identify the most valued factors in the decision to institutionalize. From the accounts of institutionalized people, the goal is to contribute to a better understanding of this reality and to provide clues for preventing or delaying its occurrence. This exploratory study was carried out in two nursing homes in the Greater Lisbon area and included 42 participants. All participants were aged 65 and over, and displayed no signs of cognitive disorders. Information was gathered through a survey designed to shed light on the circumstances which might lead to institutionalization. Although the aim is not to test hypotheses or generalize analyses, the results could contribute to point out similarities with the situation of elderly also institutionalized. The characteristics of the sampled population showed convergence with the conclusions of several existing studies about the determinants of institutionalization, namely the influence of gender, age or marital status. Nevertheless, it was possible to verify that health problems and the inherent loss of independence, although present in the sampled population, were clearly not the only reasons for institutionalization. The unavailability (or absence) of family members, or loneliness were also relevant factors. For some people that due to various circumstances find themselves alone or in a fragile situation, long-term institutionalization is the best answer to needs not fulfilled by their community. Institutionalization can therefore be seen as an advantage
Description
Tese de Mestrado em Sociedade, Risco e Saúde
Keywords
Envelhecimento Funcionalidade Incapacidade Cuidados de longa duração Preditores da institucionalização Ageing Functionality Disability Long-term care Predictors of institutionalization
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Publisher
Instituto Superior de Ciências Sociais e Políticas