Utilização de abordagens multidisciplinares com grupo de idosos e as implicações na sua qualidade de vida: um relato de experiência.

Abstract

Introduction: Human aging is characterized by significant challenges due to biological senescence and functional impairments, which can manifest as physiological and pathological changes at the systemic level. This highlights the need to involve the elderly in health promotion groups with a multidisciplinary approach, where universities play a key role. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the impact of multidisciplinary extension activities on the quality of life of older adults, identify the benefits reported by participants, and examine the positive effects of the project on the academic and professional development of students. Methods: This descriptive study, based on an experiential report, was conducted at the Federal University of Campina Grande, in Cajazeiras, Brazil, with over 100 registered participants, 65 of whom attended regularly. The participants were aged 60 to 85 years, with some adults from 45 years old included. Data collection was based on the author's perceptions over a three-year period, and qualitative data analysis was performed following Bardin's approach. Results and Discussion: The results showed that most participants were women with chronic non-communicable diseases, physical impairments, or musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., osteoporosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia), and a few had depression, anxiety, or other related health conditions. The most frequent interdisciplinary activities included health education, physical exercise, stretching, team dynamics, memory exercises, leisure trips, discussion groups, computer classes, and musical gatherings, held twice a week. Two main thematic groups emerged: 1) Benefits for the elderly, with three categories (disposition and vitality, social interaction, and knowledge acquisition) and 2) Benefits for extensionists, with two categories (community interaction and professional vision). Conclusion: The extension activities benefited the elderly in various dimensions, promoting social inclusion, stimulating the mind, strengthening the body, and improving their mood. Additionally, the experience broadened the students' understanding of the challenges affecting elderly quality of life, taking into account individual and contextual factors. Disseminating these results to academia and society strengthens the project and fosters partnerships.