O estudo do uso do tempo de idosos institucionalizados

Abstract

The way the elderly use their time may indicate various features of their lifestyle, including physical skills and psychological well-being. Thus, this study of descriptiveexploratory nature sought access the inside reality of asylums and describe how the elderly spend their time according to the daily routine of the institutional environment. To this end, we selected the three Long Term Institutions for Elderly (LTIE), philanthropic nature, the city of Santa Maria-RS, which cover a population of 286 individuals. Open Interviews were conducted with employees of LTIE, along with the researcher's participant observation, these being the collected material submitted to the method of thematic analysis. It was found that most of the time is associated with free time activity, mainly passive leisure and little involvement with mental and physical activities. Still, personal care activities such as nourishment, hygiene and medication schedules are administered by the LTIE and the elderly seem to live in a waiting period for these activities. More often the elderly use the spaces of the courtyard and the room itself, in which remain for the most part of the day alone, and the physical proximity with other elderly doesn’t necessarily mean interaction. It was also realized that the use of time is under the control of the LTIE, besides the fact that the cognitive level, functional capacity and mental illness influence the use of time that presents demonstrates characteristics of old age. Therefore, it was possible to know the daily life of the institutionalized elderly and understand that the use of time is associated to the context and personal characteristics in constant interaction.