A velhice em uma nova versão: uma abordagem interdisciplinar na microrregião de Viçosa-MG

Abstract

With the objectives of tracing the demographic and epidemic profile, and to analyze the quality of life of the senior population this study presented and interdisciplinary approach ofthe aging process. lnitially, secondary data of the micro region were used obtained from Demographic Censuses of 1970, 1980, 1991 and statistics from tlte civil Registration, from the years of 1970. 1980. 1991 and 1995. Later on the representations ofthe aging and ists social roles were analyzed , the health/disease representations, life quality andthe autonomy of a group of seniors in the count district of Viçosa - MG. The acquisition of the representations took place by means of semi-structured interviews and participant observation. It was evidenced that the health! representations of aging and of life quality exceed the biomedical limits and they are covered of own meanings. That other version of aging interpreted and lived by them allows better understanding of that route of the life that , consequently, will conduct changes of attitudes in relation to the care/attention to the senior population. The study allowed to conclude that: 1) the micro region of Viçosa. signals for a process of demographic transition, being larger the number of people with 60 years and more, in the decade of 90, in relation to the decades of 70 and 80. 2) for the mortality pattems, it was verined that, in 1980, the obts occurred mainly by perinatal diseases and in 1991 and 1995 the main causes were the circulatory systems diseases, what signals a process of epidemic transition. 3) life quality links to lifestyle, and to the capacity to accomplish activities without interference or another people s influence. The health is represented as opposite of disease, transcribed by the disposition for the work and to do what he/she wants, having coscience of the patologies, wich do not constitute problems, as they worry about cares and periodic medical controls. Such characteristics confirm, for the Viçosa - MG county, aspects considered in the literature on the quality of the seniors life and its determinant, having the speeches and the practices, observed as well as the use of the theorical referential and the qualitative methodology, offering the tone and the singularity to the results. 4) the gender subjects in the "third age" do not just elapse of demographic subjects in that the women represent larger nmnber than the mem, but from existing differences between the mans age and the one of the woman, and this overcomes the obstacles and the diliiculties more easily. 5) the readness of services adapted for the senior population is shown as auspicious alternative of better life quality. The "Groups of third Age" has bees the socialization place, congregating people of the same age and making proper local preventive works with the senior, without the character of medical services. 6) this new version of the age allowed better understanding of the characteristics of that route of the life, must sewing as alert to the professionals of health, for elaboration of preventive practices to be implemented for the studied group, seeking the best life quality for that population.