Abstract

RAMIREZ PEREIRA, Mirliana et al. Seniors caring for seniors: their perceptions from a comprehensive point of view. Enfermería (Montevideo) [online]. 2018, vol.7, n.2, pp.83-108. ISSN 1688-8375.  https://doi.org/10.22235/ech.v7i2.1653.

Aging is a process that involves multiple changes in the human being, forcing some elderly people in a situation of dependency to require a caregiver. This is a qualitative study with a methodological approach of case study, aiming to know the perceptions of older people who are caregivers of another elderly people with severe dependence. In-depth interviews were conducted using content analysis. The following categories were defined: motivations, difficulties, caregiver emotions, self postponement for the sake of the other, family support, emotions associated with the diagnosis, religion, institutionalization, nursing care expectations, access to state benefits, and death. The results show that most caregivers are women, without family support, who have a sentimental bond with the person cared for, and that their motivations to perform this task where affection and obligation. Self postponement was observed; the caregiver devots completely to this task, abandoning other activities and experiencing burden accompanied by economic limitations due to the low income they receive.

Keywords : Qualitative research; nursing; aged; perception; caregiver; elderly; dependence.

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