Avaliação da percepção dos usuários institucionalizados e não institucionalizados sobre Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos na cidade de Pelotas / RS.

Abstract

Population aging is revealed as a phenomenon observed all over the world. Therewith, there are concerns related to housing surroundings, in order to make them more adequate to the needs of the elderly. In this case, the Long-Term Care Institutions for the Elderly (LTCI’s) represent an important alternative housing for this group. The research investigates the perception of LTCI’s users regarding not only the physical aspects, but also the subjective aspects of the surroundings, and thus contribute to the qualification of these institutions. Despite the importance to the well-being of the elderly, the subjective aspects remain poorly served by the current legislation and poorly explored in research that involves the surroundings, that were constructed in an insufficiently way. Therefore, the problem analyzed in this research is based on the lack of theoretical and empirical studies, through information about the subjective aspects of the surroundings, so that these places can become more humanized besides stimulating the sense of identity and familiarity of these people with their dwelling. It is emphasized that this research has as general objective the understanding of how the relationship between the elderly residents of the LTCI's and the environment in which they live happen and how this environment can contribute to their well-being, thus propose recommendations related to the architectural design. The research is based on the theoretical model of Environmental Gerontology "Transactional view of elderly people in their environments", which considers the life history of the elderly and relates well-being on aging to two integrated processes: belonging and agency. To reach the established objectives, we worked with two groups, institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. The investigation was developed through an exploratory field research, with a descriptive case study, multiply. And qualitative methodological approach using tools from the research area of Environment-Behavior Relations. In order to understand if the socioeconomic condition of the resident influences the choice of attributes that generate well-being, it was decided to establish as object of study three distinct Institutions that serve low, middle and high income people. Field and archive surveys were used as methods of data collection, the field research was divided into physical surveys, behavioral observations, semi-structured interviews, and poems of desires. The results of this research indicate: (i) the possibility of identifying elements and attributes that generate well-being in LTCI's; (ii) a collective imaginary with positive expectations of noninstitutionalized elderly in relation to institutional dwelling; (iii) the existence of a low sense of belonging among institutionalized elders, although this becomes less relevant over time; (iv) the importance of autonomy related to subjective issues (personalization), as well as those related to physical aspects and (v) the agency process and the sense of belonging seem to worsen with increasing income. It was verified that when considering subjective aspects of the environment, the research brings important subsidies that help to understand the two studied processes (belonging and agency) understanding how the elements and attributes can influence the well-being of old age.