A importância da realização de atividades no processo do envelhecimento ativo de idosos Institucionalizados

Abstract

Portugal faces a very high population aging process. The changes of the demographic behaviour influence the population structure irreversibly. The aging process is a large and durable phenomenon, which has irreversible effects in all societies. We believe that the quality of life of the elderly is related to health, their family relationships, with socialisation with others (relatives, friends, neighbours, employees), with the participation in tasks / activities they like to do with the autonomy to do for themselves, a life as normalized and independent as possible, within their abilities and / or limitations during their development process. Therefore, the aim of this study is focused on the analysis of the importance and impact of the implementation of activities in the quality of life of institutionalized elderly. The fieldwork took place in the Social Center and Parish Molares, in Celorico de Basto. After the application and analysis of interviews, it is concluded that the activities that the team proposed contribute deeply to the physical health of the elderly. These activities are also important to increase their self-esteem, inducing more courage and good humor in each one of them. It was also evident from the analysis of the interviews, the improvement of the elderly relationship with his neighbour, which is an important point to develop positive levels of personal satisfaction. Therefore, we may conclude that active aging is related with the development of activities in old age, which is evident in the relationship between the frequency of these activities and feelings of satisfaction and improvement in health, with direct consequences on their will to live.

Date of Award	5 Sept 2016
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Eduardo Duque (Supervisor)