Idosos cuidadores de um familiar idoso no domicílio: religiosidade/espiritualidade como suporte

Abstract

Introduction: The process of demographic and epidemiological transition, followed by a progressive increase in the number of elderly beckons to a new reality, the elderly family caregiver. Objective: Analyze the elements that constitute the process of caring for an elderly at home by an also elderly. Methods: Qualitative research in Grounded Theory, held in Juiz de Fora city, Minas Gerais. The data collection occurred from August 2014 to January 2015, 10 elderly caregivers participated in the study. In the seventh interview, it was observed that the answers of the participants had become redundant, not being relevant to continue with data collection. However, as a way to validate the theory, it was returned to field to other three interviews so as to allow analysis and comparative systematic interpretation of data, in a deep and rich way, seeking for caregivers with different socioeconomic levels, in order to better understand their experience. It was used for data collection, home visits with interview, observation and recording of notes in a field diary, writing memos. For textual editing and codification of data from empiric data. It was used the OpenLogos® program. Results: It was emerged forty codes from data, which composed four categories: "Aging and become family caregiver," "Family support","The elderly caregiver who daily takes care of an elderly at home and the health team" and "The spiritual dimension influencing the life and the process of caring for an elderly family caregiver" that was constituted the central category of the study. The central category has allowed to understand how the elderly family caregiver experiences the process of taking care of an also elderly familiar at home, even facing negative repercussions, such as lack of family support, and the difficulties experienced in everyday life, such as lack of institutionalized support to caring for others. Regardless of whether or not having the family or institutionalized support, it can find empowerment for daily facing the challenges of being a caregiver through the religiosity/spirituality. In this stage of life, there is a modification in the perspective of a materialistic and pragmatic worldview to a cosmic and transcendent vision. While seeking support in a metaphysical force, the participants used the spiritual religious coping, which are the strategies used to cope with situations that may arise in their lives and assign the sacred the strength in order to persevere and continue treading their way. Aging and caring for one or more elderly people at home. Conclusion: Religiosity/spirituality from the elderly caregiver proved to be an important strategy used as a support to face the adversities of life. It is recommended that spiritual dimension should be considered as an element to assist in the health care process, considering this stage of life, the spirituality is accentuated because the elderly is introspective. He rethinks and evaluates all his life. The findings reinforce the need of public policies for the attention to family caregivers of elderly people, especially the elderly who takes care of another elderly in the household. As a contribution to their practice, reinforces the relevance of spirituality topic in training curriculum for health professionals.