Efectos en adultos mayores de su participación en un proyecto comunitario basado en activos para la salud / Effects on older adults of their participation in a community project based on health assets

Introducción: el envejecimiento poblacional y el incremento de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles están generando un gran impacto en los sistemas de salud a nivel mundial. Articular el sistema de salud con los recursos comunitarios es fundamental para poder coordinar la atención sociosanitaria, descomplejizar la atención de los adultos mayores y promover el envejecimiento activo. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la relación entre la participación de adultos mayores en un proyecto de mapeo de activos para la salud y los efectos percibidos en esta experiencia. Métodos: la intervención consistió en un taller de seis encuentros semanales donde se aprendió a reconocer activos para la salud. Estos fueron volcados en un mapa virtual de acceso libre y gratuito para ser compartido con toda la sociedad. En el taller también se reforzó la importancia de la relación entre los participantes para mejorar los apoyos sociales. Utilizamos un diseño cualitativo de tipo interactivo con una estructura interconectada y flexible de los componentes de la investigación. Se observaron las interacciones y diálogos que se produjeron entre moderadoras-participantes y participantes entre sí, y se incluyeron los registros del cuaderno de campo de las moderadoras. Al finalizar el último encuentro, y cumplidos tres meses, se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a quienes asistieron, al menos, a la mitad de los encuentros. Se utilizó una guía con preguntas abiertas, para conocer la perspectiva de los participantes acerca de eventuales cambios percibidos a partir de la experiencia vivida en el taller. Los datos se categorizaron y, posteriormente, se triangularon para garantizar la validez del análisis. Resultados: se identificaron las siguientes categorías que sitúan las experiencias de los participantes en relación con su paso por el proyecto: la generación de vínculos entre pares, los vínculos con las moderadoras, la dinámica de taller, la sustentabilidad del proyecto y la resignificación del barrio. Conclusión: es factible generar cambios positivos en la salud de los adultos mayores, potenciar los espacios de socialización y contribuir satisfactoriamente en la resignificación de los barrios a través del mapeo de activos para la salud. (AU)

Introduction: population ageing and the increase in chronic non-communicable diseases are having a major impact on health systems worldwide. Linking the health system with community resources is essential in order to coordinate social and health care, decomplexify the care of older adults and promote active ageing. Our objective was to analyse the relationship between the participation of older adults in a health asset mapping project and the perceived effects of this experience. Methods: the intervention consisted of a workshop of six weekly meetings where participants learned to recognise health assets from the perspective of each participant. These were then uploaded onto a virtual map that could be accessed free of charge and shared with the whole of society. The workshop also reinforced the importance of the relationship between participants to improve social support.We used an interactive qualitative design with an interconnected and flexible structure between the research components. The interactions and dialogues that took place between moderators-participants and participants with each other were observed, and the field notebook records of the moderators were included. At the end of the last meeting, and after three months, in-depth interviews were conducted with those who attended at least half of the meetings. A guide with open-ended questions was used to find out the participants perspective on possible changes perceived as a result of the workshop experience. The data were categorised and then triangulated to ensure the validity of the analysis. Results: the following categories were identified that situate the participants experiences in relation to their time in the project: the generation of links between peers, the links with the moderators, the workshop dynamics, the sustainability of the project and the re-signification of the neighbourhood. Conclusion: it is feasible to generate positive changes in the health of older adults, to strengthen the spaces for socialisation and to successfully contribute to the resignification of the neighbourhoods through the mapping of assets for health. (AU)

[Health assets and quality of life in people diagnosed with severe mental disorder]. / Activos para la salud y calidad de vida en personas diagnosticadas de enfermedad mental grave.

OBJECTIVE: To identify health assets and describe quality of life for people diagnosed with severe mental disorder through their own testimonies; to understand the necessities and barriers that affect their quality of life; and offer improvement recommendations. METHOD: A qualitative, descriptive analysis based on the information obtained through semi-structured interviews and asset mapping. RESULTS: Assets are similar to those found in undiagnosed people, while needs and barriers differ in both groups. The main assets include social relationships, socioeconomic assets, personal development, leisure and free time assets, places, art, daily activities, which usually take place within the mental health network, sense of belonging, and autonomy. To improve their health and life quality, they need access to employment and studies, more and better social relationships, and more control over their lives. Side effects of medication and socio-economic exclusion, and the lack of autonomy derived from it are the main existing barriers, which have a negative effect in self-esteem and social interactions. An important measure to improve health and quality of life is the increase of economic and social assets for a more autonomous personal development. CONCLUSIONS: This community action for health care has served to reveal the similarities between health and quality of life assets for severe mental disorder diagnosed and undiagnosed people, as well as the differences in the needs and difficulties to achieve them.