RESUMEN
Abstract Objective: characterize and analyze social representations of middle-aged adults over their old age. Method: Qualitative research supported by the Theory of Social Representation. The field of study was the marginal urban jurisdiction of the Toribia Castro and San Martin Health Centers, in the Lambayeque district, in Peru. Two hundred people between 40 and 59 years old were participants in the study, 50% males and 50% females. Data was collected using the Free Word Association Technique, with the inductor term "my old age". The data was analyzed with the EVOC 2003 software. Results: middle-aged adults generated a similar representation of their old age with the use of the following elements: disease, family, uselessness, loneliness. The concepts of protection and fear only appeared in the probable central nucleus of the representation of men, while in that of women, sadness was the one that appeared the most. Conclusion: The probable central nucleus of old age shows negative representation overall and, depending on how the person copes with it in the course of their life, the meanings assigned to it will vary. Health promotion policies that highlight self-care and communicate a positive and autonomous image of old age can contribute to reconfigure such representations.
Resumen Objetivo: caracterizar y analizar las representaciones sociales del adulto de mediana edad sobre su vejez. Método: Investigación cualitativa respaldada en la Teoría de la Representación Social. El campo de estudio fue la jurisdicción urbana marginal de los Centros de Salud Toribia Castro y San Martin, del distrito de Lambayeque, Perú. Participaron 200 personas entre 40 a 59 años, 50% de sexo masculino y 50% femenino. Se recolectó datos utilizando la Tecnica de Asociación Libre de Palabras, con el término inductor "mi vejez". Los datos fueron analizados con el software EVOC 2003. Resultados: los adultos de mediana edad generaron una representación de su vejez semejante, con los elementos: enfermedad, familia, inutil, soledad. Los elementos protección y temor sólo aparecen en el probable núcleo central de la representación de los varones, en cuanto en el de las mujeres, aparece tristeza. Conclusión: El probable núcleo central de la vejez evidencia una representación negativa, y a depender de la forma cómo la persona la enfrente en el curso de vida, dependerá los significados que le asigne. Las políticas de promoción de la salud que destacan el autocuidado y comunican una imagen positiva y autónoma de la vejez pueden contribuir para reconfigurar tales representaciones.
RESUMEN
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.
Resumo Objetivo: Identificar as atividades realizadas por idosos integrantes do Programa Academia Carioca da Saúde em seus cotidianos e analisar as contribuições de tais práticas para a saúde e qualidade de vida. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva realizada por meio de entrevista com 30 idosos frequentadores de uma Academia da Saúde, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro (RJ). A análise foi do tipo lexicográfico, com uso do software Alceste. Resultados: Foram geradas cinco classes lexicais. As atividades físicas e de lazer se expressam nas classes 2 e 3. Os depoimentos que compõem as classes lexicais evidenciam que os idosos realizam as atividades cotidianas com autonomia e independência. Eles avaliam que as atividades promovem a integração dos participantes, incrementa a participação social e beneficiam a saúde e a qualidade de vida atribuindo sua proatividade à participação no grupo de convivência. Conclusão: As atividades diversificam o cotidiano, incrementam a socialização e as oportunidades de lazer de idosos, consequentemente a saúde, na medida em que oportuniza ampliação das relações sociais.