Saúde mentald e pessoas idosas e famílias: um estudo no serviço intermediário de atenção psicossocial de Uberaba - MG

Abstract

Aging is a process conditioned by social, economic, and historical factors environmental, cultural and biological, as it is a progression of biopsychosocial changes. In this process, there is also the possibility of the emergence of some psychic, mental and emotional impairment. Older people, as a result of the aging process, are more likely to experience events such as bereavement, decline in socioeconomic condition, unemployment, violence, discrimination, among other expressions of the social issue. These factors can result in isolation, dependency, loneliness, and psychological distress. One of the contributing actors to the quality of life of people with mental disorders is the family. The support coming from this group involves support, cohesion, adaptability, and communication, as well as mitigating the effect of stressful events on mental health. In this context, aging and mental illness were investigated from the perspective of the elderly user of the Intermediate Service of Psychosocial Care of Uberaba-MG and their relatives. In order to understand the socioemotional and economic effects on the aging process of the elderly with a mental health diagnosis and the role of the family as support. The importance of family relationships was analyzed in the face of the increase in population aging worldwide and mental illness also caused by situations of social vulnerability. This is a bibliographic, documentary and field research with a qualitative approach of the exploratory type, with the theoretical contribution of historical and dialectical materialism and carried out through two studies. The following instruments were used: participant observation, interview and mini mental state examination, in order to reinforce and support the central idea. The results pointed out the expressions of the social issue present in the subjects' experience that influenced the mental illness of the elderly person and the relationship with their family member and also showed the lack of social protection on the part of the State in the failure to implement the real demands of the subjects, through public policies and the assistance offered by the psychosocial care network. This investigation reinforces the relevance of care for elderly people with mental illness and their families. The need for effective public policies that serve these populations is urgent, as is the need for guidance and support offered by mental health services to family members.