Significados do processo de adoecer: o que pensam cuidadoras principais de idosos portadores de câncer

The goal of the study was to understand the social representations of the main caretakers about the process of a acquiring cancer and to relate them with her therapeutic choices when caring for an elderly bearer of this pathology at his home. Four main caretakers of elderly cancer patients participated in the study. Data collection occurred from March to November, 2005, using semi-structured interviews and participative observation. The data analysis was accomplished through the method of thematic analysis. The explanations for the disease found by the caretakers were opposite to the medical explanations, because they try to identify the mechanisms that led the elderly patients to acquire the disease in their lifestyle. The therapeutic practices at home are eminently cultural, considering socially-built beliefs and values. The need of recognizing the socio-cultural dimension of healthcare within the formal healthcare service was emphasized.El objetivo fue conocer las representaciones sociales de la principal cuidadora, con respecto al proceso de enfermar de cáncer y de esta forma relacionarlas con las opciones terapéuticas para el anciano que cuidan en el domicilio. Participaron del estudio cuatro cuidadoras de ancianos con esta patología. Los datos fueron recolectados durante marzo a noviembre del 2005, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y observación participativa. El análisis fue realizado por medio del análisis temático. Se constató que las explicaciones encontradas por las cuidadoras para la enfermedad son contrarias a las del saber médico, pues ellas buscan identificar en la forma de vida y en el contexto del anciano mecanismo que le provocaron la enfermedad. Las prácticas terapéuticas domiciliarias son eminentemente culturales, pues consideran creencias y valores socialmente construidos. Se enfatizó la necesidad de reconocer, dentro del sistema de salud, la dimensión socio-cultural del cuidado.O objetivo do estudo foi conhecer as representações sociais da cuidadora principal sobre o processo de adoecer de câncer, e relacioná-las com suas escolhas terapêuticas ao cuidar de um idoso portador desta patologia no domicílio. Participaram do estudo quatro cuidadoras principais de idosos portadores de câncer. Os dados foram coletados no período de março a novembro de 2005, por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e observação participante. A análise dos dados foi realizada pelo método de análise temática. Constatou-se que as explicações encontradas pelas cuidadoras para a doença caminham na contramão das explicações do saber médico, pois elas procuram identificar na forma de vida e no contexto do idoso os mecanismos que o levaram a adoecer. As práticas terapêuticas no domicílio são eminentemente culturais, pois consideram crenças e valores socialmente construídos. Enfatizou-se a necessidade de reconhecer, dentro do sistema formal de saúde, a dimensão sociocultural do cuidado

Predictors of functional dependence among individuals aged 50 years and older: a 4-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effect of change and/or maintenance of poor sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and health conditions on the incidence of functional dependence for instrumental activities of daily living (lADLs) in people aged 50 years or older living in urban settings. METHODS: The relationship between IADLs and risk factors was analyzed in a prospective 4-year follow-up study involving 412 participants. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using Poisson regression models, adjusted for sex, age and education. RESULTS: The incidence of dependence for IADLs was 18.9%. Functional dependence was independently associated with lower socioeconomic status (RR = 2.03, 95%CI 1.24-3.32), lack of occupational activity (RR = 2.46, 95%CI 1.31-4.61), inadequate fruit and vegetable intake (RR = 1.90, 95%CI 1.06-3.38) and poor performance in the Mini Mental "State Examination (RR = 2.52, 95%CI 1.53-4.17). The association between functional dependence and diabetes mellitus approached statistical significance (RR = 1.39, 95%CI 0.92-2.10). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that worse socioeconomic conditions and chronic health issues were associated with the incidence of dependence for IADLs. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive and interdisciplinary health care for populations with these characteristics.</p

Cognitive and Functional Decline among Individuals 50 Years of Age or Older in Cambé, Paraná, Brazil: A Population-Based Study

Aims: To identify the frequency of cognitive and functional decline (CFD) among adults 50 years of age and older by a population-based study. Methods: Cognitive function was analyzed by the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the functional conditions were based on instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Cases of CFD included individuals with cognitive decline and 2 or more compromised IADL. Results: A total of 693 individuals were studied. The frequency of CFD was 16.3%. A low socioeconomic profile was associated with greater CFD independent of gender, age, education, and presence of depression (OR = 2.46; 95% CI: 1.53-3.97). Conclusions: These data show a high frequency of CFD among adults 50 years and older. Individuals with less education and a lower socioeconomic level exhibited poorer cognitive and functional conditions