CONTRIBUTIONS FROM A SENIORS GROUP FOR THE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY PARTICIPANTS

Authors

  • Rejane Maria Ferreira CAVALCANTE
  • Diego de Sousa DANTAS Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
  • Diego Neves ARAÚJO
  • Paulo André Freire MAGALHÃES
  • Maria Tereza de Souza NEVES

Abstract

Objective: Aging leads to significant losses in the elderly, whether physical, psychological or social. In this context, social support programs and welcoming environments are highlighted by being prosecutor elements of security and well-being, stimulating and enhancing the autonomy of the elderly. Given this, we aimed to identify the social benefits of a support group for older participants under their own perspective. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted consisting of 20 women with a mean age of 69.1 ± 6.29 years, participants of Group Renascer (“Reborn”), inland of Paraíba state. Results: It was verified a good ability to perform functional activities that require flexibility, in contrast with a deficit for activities requiring strength. Regarding contributions to the self-image, 65% reported having greater satisfaction in living upon participation of the group, and 35% felt more socially valued. In the social relationships, 57% reported “ease of living”; 24% greater emotional expressiveness; while 19% said nothing had changed. Conclusion: the Group “Reborn” provided improvements in the personal dimension concerning individual skills, making the elderly more confident, with more self-esteem, better functional capacity and quality of life. In the social dimension, there was an improvement in the relationships among the elderlies themselves and in their social relationships, in addition to an encouragement for collective constructions. DESCRIPTORS Public Health. Social Assistance. Elderly.

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Author Biographies

Rejane Maria Ferreira CAVALCANTE

Assistente Social, graduada pela Universidade Estadual da Paraíba. Especialista em Saúde Pública pela Faculdade de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas. Assistente Social do CAPES Boa Vista -RR

Diego de Sousa DANTAS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Fisioterapeuta. Mestre em Biofísica pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. Professor do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde do Trairí – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte.

Diego Neves ARAÚJO

Fisioterapeuta. Mestrando em Fisioterapia pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte.

Paulo André Freire MAGALHÃES

Fisioterapeuta. Mestrando em Ciências Biológicas pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte.

Maria Tereza de Souza NEVES

Psicóloga. Mestre e Doutoranda em Psicologia Social pela Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Professora do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia da Paraíba.

Published

2016-03-16

How to Cite

CAVALCANTE, R. M. F., DANTAS, D. de S., ARAÚJO, D. N., MAGALHÃES, P. A. F., & NEVES, M. T. de S. (2016). CONTRIBUTIONS FROM A SENIORS GROUP FOR THE HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY PARTICIPANTS. Revista Brasileira De Ciências Da Saúde, 19(1), 11–18. Retrieved from https://periodicos.ufpb.br/index.php/rbcs/article/view/15278

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Section

Research