scholarly journals Social representations of older adults regarding quality of life

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 806-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marielle Cristina Gonçalves Ferreira ◽  
Luiz Fernando Rangel Tura ◽  
Rafael Celestino da Silva ◽  
Márcia de Assunção Ferreira

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the social representations of older adults regarding quality of life, and to analyze the care practices adopted to promote it. Method: qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research, applying the Theory of Social Representations. Thirty older people from a Health Academy of Rio de Janeiro participated in the study. The software Alceste was used, and lexical analysis of data was performed. Results: social representations of quality of life are based on the social determinants of health; they evidence knowledge and practices of care by valuing physical activities. The practices promoting quality of life comprise healthy eating habits, daily physical exercise, social participation, interaction and socialization, accomplishment of leisure activities and daily tasks with independence and autonomy, and support and family contact. Final considerations: the elderly have a global understanding of the concept of quality of life, coordinate knowledge built in daily life and knowledge coming from the technical-professional field, which evidences the multidimensionality of the concept.

Author(s):  
Marielle Cristina Gonçalves Ferreira ◽  
Luiz Fernando Rangel Tura ◽  
Rafael Celestino da Silva ◽  
Márcia de Assunção Ferreira

Abstract Objective: to identify the activities performed by older adults as part of the Rio Health Gym Program in their daily lives, and analyze the contributions of these practices to their health and quality of life. Method: a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted using interviews with 30 older adults who attended a health center in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). Lexicographic analysis was performed using the Alceste software program. Results: five lexical classes were generated. Physical and leisure activities comprised classes 2 and 3. The statements that made up the lexical classes showed that older adults carried out their daily activities with autonomy and independence. According to their assessment, the activities promote the integration of participants, increase social participation and benefit health and quality of life. They attribute their proactivity to participation in the social group. Conclusion: the activities bring diversity to daily living, increase socialization and leisure opportunities, and consequently improve the health of older people by facilitating social relationships.


2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Queiroz Batista ◽  
Raquel de Souza Ramos ◽  
Margarida Maria Rocha Bernardes ◽  
Cibele Aquino Barbosa ◽  
Juliana Maximo da Costa

Objetiva-se analisar a representação social da qualidade de vida após a confecção de um estoma intestinal pelospacientes oncológicos, além de identificar a estrutura das representações sociais da qualidade de vida após a confecçãode um estoma intestinal pelos pacientes oncológicos e discutir as possíveis repercussões dessas representações noplanejamento da assistência de enfermagem nesse grupo social. Estudo descritivo, de natureza qualitativa, pautado naTeoria das Representações Sociais. Foram abordados 80 pacientes e a técnica para coleta de dados foi a da evocaçãolivre, com os termos indutores ”qualidade de vida antes da colostomia” e “qualidade de vida após a colostomia”, sendotratado pelo software Ensemble de programmes permettant l’analyse dês evocations (EVOC). A Representação Social daqualidade de vida após a confecção de um estoma mostrou elementos negativos, assim como a qualidade de vida antesdo estoma, mostrou elementos positivos. Fazendo uma breve comparação, foi claramente possível ver suas diferenças,principalmente em relação aos sentimentos, suas limitações, seus hábitos alimentares, seus medos e estigmas. Faz-senecessário a implantação e permanência de uma equipe multidisciplinar que vise à reinserção social, fornecendoestratégias para melhor adaptação da sua nova condição de vida, repriorizando valores e metas.Palavras-chave: Percepção Social; Neoplasias Colorretais; Colostomia. AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the social representation of life quality of after the preparation of an intestinalstoma by oncological patients, as well as to identify the structure of the social representations of life quality after thepreparation of an intestinal stoma by cancer patients and to discuss the possible repercussions of these representationsin nursing care planning in this social group. Descriptive study, of qualitative nature, based on the Theory of SocialRepresentations. Eighty patients were approached and the technique for data collection was that of free evocation,with the terms "quality of life before colostomy" and "quality of life after colostomy", being treated by softwareEnsemble de programs permettant l'analyze of evocations (EVOC). The Social Representation of life quality after themanufacture of a stoma showed negative elements, as well as the life quality before the stoma, showed positiveelements. By making a brief comparison, it was clearly possible to see their differences, especially in relation to theirfeelings, limitations, eating habits, fears and stigmata. It is necessary the implantation and permanence of amultidisciplinary team that aims at social reintegration, providing strategies to better adapt to their new livingconditions, reprioritizing values and goals.Keywords: Social Perception; Colorectal Neoplasms; Colostomy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Magdalena Pracka ◽  
Marcin Dziedziński ◽  
Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski

AbstractIn recent years have seen increasing percentage of the elderly in the overall population. This has driven the attention to the lifestyle factors that influence the health and quality of life of this social group, including their nutrition and physical activity. Universities of the Third Age (U3A) are a valuable platform for the dissemination and broadening of the knowledge related to these topics. The nutritional habits of 61 U3A students in Poznań were evaluated on the basis of a modified KomPAN questionnaire. Their nutritional status was determined using the body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) indices. Nearly half of the respondents were overweight and 16% had first degree obesity. The WHR index in women was on average 0.8, while in men it was 1.01. Only 13% of the students declared regular eating, with 60% consuming 4-5 meals a day. Women were found to eat snacks between meals more often than men. It was also found that the majority of the elderly do not add salt to ready meals or sweeten beverages with sugars. Taking into account the observed nutritional problems and the occurrence of improper eating habits of the elderly, it is recommended to continue the education on the prevention of common diet-related diseased.


Author(s):  
Orazio Licciardello ◽  
Manuel Mauceri ◽  
Graziella Di Marco ◽  
Maria Giuseppina Cardella

Abstract.We conducted some researches in order to explore “fields” or dimensions of elderly people’s Quality of Life (QoL), both as self-perception and hetero-perception. A set of researches were conducted in Italy and Spain, involving seniors and university students. The aim was to explore the seniors’ QoL from both their and the students’ point of view. Results showed elderly people perceived their own life better than the “other” attributed to them; they were quite good at managing Positive and Negative Emotions. Spanish university students represented more positively the elderly people’s QoL than Italian colleagues. A Positive Affect as well as an empathic attitude towards seniors affected a better representation about elderly people’s QoL. Another set of studies was focused on the elderly people’s QoL and New Technologies (NTs) as these may offer opportunities both to maintain an independent lifestyle and to being involved in relevant activities. Most participants had nor any digital skills neither prejudices on the NTs; the perceived QoL was quite positive; Self-Efficacy believes were really high. The QoL was affected only by Self-Efficacy. A workshop was held, involving a small group of both disabled and healthy seniors; it was focused on the NTs, as tools to promote an active citizenship. After Training our seniors improved their Digital Skills and their own Quality of Life. In the end, a study was conducted in order to verify how both empathy (Empatic Concern; Perspective Taking), Theory on Mind (RMET) and contact worked well to improve QoL levels attributed to elders by a group of university students. On an applicative plan, empathy and TOM should represent the backdrop in supervised experiences of contact between students and elders. Further research will be conduct on this path.Key-Words: Active ageing; Quality of Life; Social Representations; Contact; Empathy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 559-559
Author(s):  
Walter Boot

Abstract There has been a great deal of research on technology to support older adults in their performance of Activities and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. There has been substantially less research, however, on exploring technology solutions that support hobbies and leisure. This is unfortunate, as quality of life and well-being are determined by more than just one’s ability to manage everyday tasks. An overview will be presented of research the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) has conducted over two decades with the goals of understanding and supporting older adults’ performance of technology-based leisure activities. Many of these studies have involved videogaming, where there exists a substantial age-related digital divide. CREATE has evaluated older adults’ attitudes and game experiences through survey and research studies and has even recorded longitudinal gameplay. How these findings can be applied to support technology-based leisure activities will be expanded upon. Part of a symposium sponsored by Technology and Aging Interest Group.


1991 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Meyerowitz

The population of older adults is heterogeneous and can be divided into many subgroups: the young-old, the old-old, the healthy, the sick, the frail, the mentally and physically handicapped, the ambulatory, the chair-bound, house-bound or institution-bound, and the economically advantaged and disadvantaged. This diversity is extremely important to the discussion of the oral health needs, preventive health strategies, and research agenda for the elderly. As life expectancy increases, more attention is being paid to disease prevention so that the quality of life in old age can be improved. However, the link among oral health, systemic disease, and quality of life in the elderly needs to be better-defined. There is some evidence in the literature that indicates that coronal and root caries appear to be major health problems for the elderly. This needs to be corroborated in longitudinal studies. Although periodontal disease prevalence and severity are high in some subgroups of the elderly, these appear to be in decline in the general population. Dental health-care workers must be cognizant of the oral conditions associated with systemic disease and the use of medication, a major concern in older adults. Prevention of oral disease in the elderly requires early intervention, education of the dental health team, and innovative uses of well-established preventive agents such as fluoride. An extensive research effort is needed to answer basic and applied questions regarding the oral health needs of the elderly. Federal and private funding will be necessary. The dental profession will have to demonstrate and be persuasive that money spent on research and care for the elderly is money well spent.


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1186-1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Magalhães Vitorino ◽  
Lisiane Manganelli Girardi Paskulin ◽  
Lucila Amaral Carneiro Vianna

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the older adults' perceptions of their quality of life (QoL) in two long-stay care facilities in Pouso Alegre and Santa Rita in Sapucaí, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil , and to identify the sociodemographic and health variables which interfere in this perception. METHOD: a cross-sectional epidemiological study of 77 older adults resident in institutions. The instruments used were: personal characterization; WHOQOL-bref and WHOQOL OLD. RESULT: the highest average obtained in the instruments was: the "Social Relationships" domain in the WHOQOL-bref (68%) and the "Sensory abilities" aspect in the WHOQOL-OLD (73.7%). The variables age, sex, physical activity and level of schooling have a significant correlation with the WHOQOL-bref and the variables sex and leisure have the same with the WHOQOL OLD. CONCLUSION: older adults who are younger, with higher levels of schooling and who undertake physical and leisure activity have, on average, better perceptions of their QoL. The older adults' QoL in this study had higher rates than that reported in the literature and was similar to that in the community. The results suggest the need to train those involved with older adults in institutions so that they may develop strategies which promote the adaptation, adjustment and maintenance of QoL.


2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Kozerska

From the perspective of adult education, the engagement of older people in developing relationships with other people is related to their learning and creating their identities. The research conducted in the areas of various countries shows a relationship between a social participation of seniors and their well-being. Moreover, participation in rich social networks, composed of many people, coincides with a high quality of life. The article focuses on senior citizens functioning in restricted networks (less numerous social networks, consisting of several people).The study is to serve three purposes: firstly, to identify determinants of a subjective assessment of own life of senior citizens living in restricted networks; secondly, to analyse a relationship between seniors’ subjective, general assessment of life and their opinion on what determines a successful and happy life; thirdly, to analyse the relationship between seniors’ subjective, general assessment of life and the ways they handle problematic situations. The analysis has been conducted on the basis of the data collected in 2013, available to the general public on www.diagnoza.com. The data was collected within the Social Diagnosis (Diagnoza społeczna) project. The objective of the Social Diagnosis is an investigation of the conditions and quality of life in Poland. It is based on panel research. A questionnaire has been used as a research tool. The article presents information regarding 5623 individuals, aged 60+functioning in restricted social networks in Poland. The Mann-Whitney U test and the two proportions test helped to analyse the differences between variable distributions. The results show that a poor social life of the elderly does not have to be linked with a feeling of loneliness. The group of individuals with a high level of general satisfaction is more satisfied with a relationship with the family (especially children) than the group with a low level of life satisfaction. The analysis confirms that good relationships with family and friends are an important predictor of life satisfaction of the elderly. Health is considered to be a condition of a successful life by seniors with a high level of life satisfaction, as well as relationships with close family members: with children and a spouse. This group of respondents shows more confidence in other people, by whom they feel loved and confided in. In difficult situations people with a high level of life satisfaction turn to others for help, but they also act themselves. Seniors with a low level of satisfaction differ from the previous group in these terms. These are people who do not feel confided in by others and they also hardly ever turn to others for help. In difficult situations they are more often passive. In conclusion, the author highlights the significance of informal learning occurring in families to enhance older people’s quality of life. It is important, especially in case of poorly educated persons with low incomes who often function in small social networks. Key words: informal learning in the family, life satisfaction of older adults, social participation of seniors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-49
Author(s):  
E. A. Kechyna ◽  
L. V. Filinskaya

The demographic aging of population typical for many countries requires much more financial and material resources to meet the needs of the post-working-age population. For the Republic of Belarus, the problem of population aging is highly relevant for the share of the elderly grows annually. The article focuses on the social-demographic characteristics and quality of life of the older generation in Belarus. The article is based on the data of the National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus and the results of the sociological research “Belarus: Family, Stability of Family Relations, and Birth Rate in the Changing Social-Economic Conditions” conducted within the international research program “Generation and Gender”. The authors present a sociological-statistical approach to the analysis of the key characteristics of the elderly’s life in contemporary Belarus, which combines the information resources of sociology and statistics. The authors consider the general statistical data on the population aging and the elderly’s features and the sociological indicators revealing the perception of life at the older age. The assessment of the older generation’s life is presented as a set of indicators of the quality of life, which includes both objective statistical data and estimates of the older people’s satisfaction with various aspects of their life. For the first time in Belarus the quality of life of the 60-69- and 70-79-year-old cohorts is studied not only through statistical data but also taking into account their own assessments of various aspects of their lives, which allows to identify the most relevant issues for the social programs aimed at meeting the needs of the older generation.


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