Reflexologia podal em idosos: promovendo o cuidado através dos pés.

Abstract

The present study is qualitative, descriptive typology and exploratory, carried out in Long Stay Institution for Elderly (ILPI) "Casa da Vó Filomena", located in the municipality of Cuite - PB, in the period May to July 2012, with the objective to know the implications of the use of reflexology in the elderly. The sample was composed of 3 elderly people, that they were conscious and oriented in the age group between 71 and 91 years of age. Collection of the material was performed through semi-structured interview, with road map of open questions related to issues of health pre-existing knowledge about the alternative therapies and reflexology. All the elderly agreed sign the Informed Consent Form (TCLE) with a guarantee of anonymity, that were used pseudonyms to interviewees with names of birds. For material analysis, it was used to the content analysis technique of Bardin, in which were created three analytical categories: The pain of the body and soul; the teas and the massages; "from head to toe:" the reflexology and its repercussions in the body. The research showed that the elderly had as main complaints: chronic and acute pain in various parts of the body, problems related to insomnia, as well as problems of anxiety and stress. The results revealed that the development of reflexology, possessed in addition to a wide acceptance on the part of the same, a relief of the major complaints that were reported in the interviews. It was observed that the elderly in addition to presenting symptoms of acute pain and chronic insomnia, among others, also had feelings of lack, loneliness and need for affection. This way the sessions of reflexology have finally become a moment of listening and building bonds in which the same shared their experiences and confide their troubles, thus demonstrating that the reflexology can help to minimize aches, as also acts on mental health of the elderly through the sharing and exchange of experiences. Thus, we saw the need for a greater incentive in the implementation of these practices integrative in healthcare services to the elderly, through training of health professionals and caregivers, in order to promote a better quality of life for these elderly individuals.