Quality of life of older adults in Family Health Strategy: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: With the increase in the older adult population, it is essential to identify the living and health conditions that can impact the quality of life of these individuals. OBJECTIVES: To identify the domains and factors associated with the quality of life of older adults under the Family Health Strategy program. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the municipality of Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil. METHODS: We assessed 449 older adults enrolled in the Family Health Strategy program. Data were collected between April and July, 2018. World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL-OLD) was used to assess the quality of life (QoL) and multiple linear regression was used to estimate the factors associated with QoL. RESULTS: The QoL domain with the highest score was death and dying (mean = 70.4), and the lowest score was for sensory functions (mean = 61.0 points). The factors associated with QoL were single marital status (β = -4.55; P = 0.014), level of independence for daily living activities (β = 4.92; P < 0.001), self-assessment of regular health (β = 5.35; P < 0.001), and poor health (β = -8.67; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The death and dying domain of QoL presented the highest score. Marital status, impairment in daily activities, and health self-assessment were associated with QoL.

Expressions of ageism during the pandemic as perceived by older persons / Expressões de idadismo durante a pandemia segundo a percepção de pessoas idosas

OBJECTIVE: To describe expressions of ageism as perceived by older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Cross-sectional, exploratory, and descriptive study, including 134 older adults who answered a digital questionnaire, between January and July 2022. A word cloud was used to identify stereotypes. Prejudice was assessed using the Anxiety about Aging scale and discrimination was measured using the Ageism Survey. In addition, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to identify the types of discrimination experienced in the pandemic. RESULTS: Older persons tend to reproduce stereotypes associated with experience and wisdom, with the presence of biopsychosocial changes and dependence, and enjoyment of life. Most older persons reported discrimination (93.50%), especially perceived through "telling jokes about older persons" (72.39%). In the pandemic setting, the most perceived discriminatory manifestations referred to policies, practices, or norms related to the pandemic (38.06%) and when reading and watching news in the newspaper, the Internet, and television (35.07%). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that older persons experienced ageism during the pandemic and show the need for programs and policies aimed at education on ageing, so as to reduce the stigmas of old age and discrimination, aiming to foster healthy ageing.

OBJETIVO: Descrever expressões de idadismo percebidas por pessoas idosas durante a pandemia de COVID-19. METODOLOGIA: Estudo transversal, exploratório e descritivo, realizado com 134 idosos que responderam a um questionário digital, entre janeiro e julho de 2022. Para identificar os estereótipos, elaborou-se uma nuvem de palavras. O preconceito foi avaliado por meio da Escala de Ansiedade sobre Envelhecer e a discriminação foi mensurada por intermédio do Ageism Survey. Além disso, utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado para identificar os tipos de discriminação sofridos na pandemia. RESULTADOS: Pessoas idosas tendem a reproduzir estereótipos associados à experiência e sabedoria, com presença de alterações biopsicossociais e dependência, e de fruição da vida. A maioria das pessoas idosas relatou discriminação (93,50%), especialmente percebida por meio de "contar piadas sobre idosos" (72,39%). No contexto da pandemia, as manifestações discriminatórias mais percebidas referiram-se às políticas, práticas ou normas relacionadas à pandemia (38,06%) e ao ler e assistir notícias no jornal, internet e televisão (35,07%). CONCLUSÃO: Os dados sugerem o idadismo vivenciado por pessoas idosas na pandemia e evidenciam a necessidade de criação de programas e políticas voltados para a educação em envelhecer, a fim de reduzir os estigmas da velhice e a discriminação, com vistas à promoção do envelhecimento saudável.

Apoio social e funcionalidade familiar: um estudo transversal com pessoas idosas no contexto da covid-19 / Social support and family functioning: a cross-sectional study of older people in the context of COVID-19

Resumo Objetivo Verificar a associação entre apoio social percebido e funcionalidade familiar em pessoas idosas durante a pandemia de covid-19. Método Trata-se de um estudo transversal, realizado com 72 participantes idosos que estavam matriculados em uma Universidade Aberta para Pessoas Idosas, no interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. As variáveis analisadas foram: condições socioeconômicas, demográficas, apoio social (Escala do Medical Outcomes Study) e funcionalidade familiar (Apgar de família). Utilizaram-se os testes: Qui-Quadrado, Mann Whitney e Regressão de Poisson Múltipla para as análises dos dados, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados O tipo de apoio com maiores escores médios foi o afetivo (95,1 pontos) e o menor, o emocional (87,4 pontos). A disfunção familiar foi de 22,2%. A cada ponto do escore de apoio afetivo havia o decréscimo na probabilidade de apresentar disfunção familiar. (RP=0,96; p=0,001). Conclusão O apoio afetivo associou-se à funcionalidade familiar. Tais achados demonstram a importância de identificar a estrutura, dinâmica e relações familiares para planejar o cuidado integral à saúde da população idosa.

Abstract Objective To determine the association between perceived social support and family functioning in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out of 72 participants aged ≥60 years enrolled at an Open University of the Third Age (U3A) in the interior of Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The variables analyzed were socioeconomic and demographic conditions, social support (Medical Outcomes Study Scale), and family functioning (Family APGAR). The Chi-Square, Mann-Whitney, and Multivariate Poisson Regression tests were used for data analysis, with a significance level of 5%. Results The type of support with the highest mean scores was affectionate (95.1 points) while the lowest was emotional (87.4 points). Family dysfunction rate was 22.2%. For every additional point of affectionate support score, there was a decrease in the probability of presenting family dysfunction (OR=0.96; p=0.001). Conclusion Affectionate support was associated with family functioning. These findings highlight the importance of identifying family structure, dynamics, and relationships in planning comprehensive health care for the older population.

O papel do gerontólogo nas universidades da terceira idade durante a pandemia de covid-19: estudo de caso / Gerontologist's role in the universities of the third age during covid-19 pandemic: case study

As Universidades da Terceira Idade (U3As) geralmente visam promover o envelhecimento saudável com atividades educacionais e sociais, mas desde 2020, o isolamento social da pandemia de Covid-19 tem exigido uma reorganização desses programas. Este artigo discute as possibilidades de intervenções e praxes em uma U3A para o enfrentamento das estratégias de mitigação da pandemia, na perspectiva de estagiários de Gerontologia que atuam em uma U3A, comparando os momentos antes e durante a pandemia. Para tanto, este relato de experiência descreve dois estudos de caso, sendo um relacionado ao estágio profissional anterior e outro durante a pandemia de Covid-19. Os dados foram coletados por meio de diagnóstico organizacional observacional e análise de documentos. Para a interpretação do material, foram realizadas análises documentais e de conteúdo, efetuando a comparação e discussão dos dados. Este projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CEP) e seguiu todos os preceitos éticos. Os resultados demonstram que o cenário de atuação do gerontólogo é amplo, mas o letramento digital, as informações sobre políticas de inclusão digital, profissionais capacitados para trabalhar com esse público e o fortalecimento de vínculos tornaram-se mais urgentes na pandemia de Covid-19.(AU)

Universities of the Third Age (U3As) generally aim to promote healthy ageing through educational and social activities, but since 2020, the social isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic has required a reorganization of these programs. This article discusses the possibilities of interventions and practices in a U3A to face the new reality of pandemic mitigation strategies, from the perspective of Gerontology interns who work in a U3A, comparing the moments before and during the pandemic. To this end, this experience report describes two case studies, being one related to internship before and the other during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data were collected through observational organizational diagnosis and document analysis. For the interpretation of the material, documentary and content analyzes were performed, making the comparison and discussion of the data. The Research Ethics Committee (CEP) approved this study. The results demonstrate that the gerontologist's role is broad, but digital literacy, information on digital inclusion policies, professionals trained to work with this audience, and strengthening professional bonds are more urgent in the Covid-19 pandemic.(AU)