Dinâmicas familiares de idosos dependentes ribeirinhos

Abstract

Faced with the growth of the elderly population in Brazil who live longer, therefore, depend more on health care, overloading family caregivers daily, it is relevant to study the family dynamics of dependent elderly people living in the Amazon. The general objective of this research was to analyze the family dynamics of dependent elderly people in a riverside area. Specific objectives: 1. to identify the main conflicts of families of caregivers of dependent elderly people, related to the situation of dependence and daily care of the elderly; 2. discuss gender differences in care strategies for the dependent elderly; 3. describe the conditions of access to health services and psychosocial support for the care of the dependent elderly. Methodologically, a qualitative approach was used, field collection through semi-structured interviews and Content Analysis as an analytical technique. Participated in the research 10 riverside dependent elderly and 08 family caregivers living in the communities of Santa Luzia, sub-district of Careiro da Várzea/Amazonas and Campinas do Norte, municipality of Manacapuru/Amazonas. Results showed that the dynamics of family relationships of dependent elderly people change according to the condition of dependence of the elderly; family care networks are supported by the culture of residences close to the elderly person's home and by the involvement of a large part of the family in care. 1. The main conflicts of families of caregivers for caregivers are linked to finances and food, illness of the elderly, subjective issues and rights of the elderly; in the understanding of the elderly, generational confrontations and conflicts related to aspects of daily life occur; 2. Gender differences in care strategies for the caregiver include the organization of time and activities, promotion of well-being, support networks, promotion of autonomy, dialogue and listening to the stories of the elderly and guidelines for good care. For the elderly, these strategies are linked to the idea of care according to the expressions: take me to the bathroom, take me to take a shower, sweep the house, be more attentive; 3. The conditions of access to health services are quite limited, especially for psychosocial support for the care of the dependent elderly and their families in the communities, which is non-existent. Conclusion: It was evident the need for more studies aimed at listening to the dependent elderly, especially the riverside, and their families. As for the precarious access to health services in these communities so close to Manaus, it is essential to improve the effectiveness of basic care, according to the reality of the riverside people, as proposed by the SUS for the Family Health Strategy Program, whose team, in addition to basic care meets the psychosocial issues of the elderly population, effectively carrying out drug distribution programs for all. The presence of a health professional is necessary to guide families according to the dependence of each elderly person, as well as a nutritionist to guide families in a regional context to take advantage of regional foods in disease prevention, maintenance and health promotion.