Experiências familiares de cuidado informal ao idoso frágil em narrativas orais.

Abstract

Care involves an important responsibility of an individual towards another and encompasses more than a moment of attention and dedication. It portrays an attitude of occupation, accountability, concern and emotional involvement with another being and, therefore, is part of the instinct and nature that makes up the human being. Objectives: To analyze family experiences of informal care for the frail elderly in the context of oral narratives; present oral narratives about family care experiences for the elderly; and identify difficulties experienced by family members in caring for frail elderly people. Methods: Descriptive exploratory study and qualitative approach, supported by the theoretical contribution of Oral History. The population consisted of 17 family members of frail elderly people who are directly responsible for their informal care. The instrument used was an interview script prepared by the researchers. The analysis of the narratives was guided by the methodology of Oral History and the technique of Content Analysis by Bardin. Results: Based on the narratives, three categories of analysis could be constructed, considering the axis of informal care for the frail elderly: I) The dichotomy between discontent and satisfaction of family members; II) The daily life of informal support to human needs; and III) Overload in face of the multiplicity of housework tasks. Final considerations: A relevant parallel of contentment and dissatisfaction was evidenced in caring for a dependent elderly person, care that is mainly focused on basic support. Caregiver burden also emerges as an indicator of direct impairment in the quality of care provided to the frail elderly.