FAMILY IMPORTANCE IN A DIGNIFYING AGING PROCESS
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Longer life expectancy, leading to an elder society, makes us think of the role of ancient people in the familial environment.
In this thesis, we tried to understand the meaning of family in a proper aging process to people still living with their families.
Objectives: A deep thought on the reality of an elder society, allowed us to propose the main question of this study: what is the importance of family in a proper aging process to elder people living in the familial environment?
Taking this into account, we tried to:
Understand how elder people occupied their free time
Understand what kind of help elder people have for the fulfillment of their basic needs
Understand the level of care in the family
Understand what kind of feelings are created within the families
In this way, we established as our main goal to understand the meaning of family in a proper aging process to people still living with their families.
Materials and Methods: This study was made according to a qualitative method, proposed by van Manen.
Eight people were selected for this study and interviewed in a semi-structured way.
Results and Conclusions: Through the descriptions made by older people, family can be seen in 3 different ways:
Family can be expressed as a dignity source. In the family, the elderly can feel that his dignity is kept. Dignity can be seen in many ways.
Family is also seen as source of relationships and controversy.
Sometimes, family environment, can lead to complicated relationships, which may cause less positive feelings.
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Family may also be a Balance point. When home environment is not appropriated the elder may look for another place to find his balance, searching for affection.
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