Abstract

NASCIMENTO, Rodolfo; CARDOSO, Ronald; PINTO, Denise  and  MAGALHAES, Celina. Perceptions and strategies of elderly amazonian ribeirines for health maintenance. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2022, vol.23, n.3, pp.858-869.  Epub Dec 31, 2022. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/22psd230322.

Discussions about health in old age point to heterogeneity as one of its fundamental characteristics, since it varies according to the biopsychosocial conditions accumulated throughout life, being especially mediated by ecological and cultural influences. The present study aimed to explore and understand the perceptions of elderly people about the main beliefs and care strategies for maintaining health in the ecological context of the Amazon riverside. For this, a qualitative study was carried out with 31 elderly people from riverside communities. The strategy for data collection included the technique of semi-structured interviews and participant observation and the data produced were subjected to thematic-categorical content analysis. The results showed that, apparently, although the elderly have health complaints, the concepts for maintaining health in old age are linked to the adoption of healthy and traditional lifestyle habits; the development of strategies for the conservation of functional capacity and the availability of social and religious support, typical in these regions. It is concluded that the manifestations issued by the group of riverside elderly people indicated a particular way of thinking and acting in relation to the health-disease process in old age, developed from traditional knowledge, being consistent with what is established to achieve aging successful.

Keywords : Elderly; Perception; Health status; Amazonian riverside.

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