Velhice e projetos de vida: um estudo com idosos residentes no município de Natal/RN, Brasil

Abstract

The vision of the oldness as a phase of declines has been modified and the literature already clarifies gains and context influences of subjectivity in the old age and in the expectations of the elderly. In this study, it was sought to contemplate the life projects of the elderly, who are users of the network basic health care of Natal Eastern District/RN. Sixty five elderly, with an average age of 71 years old, participated in the research, which happened through a cross-sectional study with a structured questionnaire. It was found that 81% of the sample were women, and 40% of it, were widows. The elderly reside with two (41%) or three (37%) generations, which usually correspond to sons,88% of the elderly have them , and grandsons, present in the life of 81% of the elderly. Regarding life projects, 65% of the interviewed stated to have some. From those projects, 20% resemble on buying or reforming houses, 6%, on living well and with health, and 5%, on working. Among the projects, 20% of the elderly pointed out various projects for themselves, while 9%, responded to have some project directed to their sons and/or grandsons. It`s possible to observe that some elderly are not able not to involve their day-by-day and social environment when choosing their life projects, which involve interests, motivations, personal desires and aspirations. Despite the adversities and challenges imposed by existence conditions, the old age is configurate as a developing and maturing phase, with positive perspectives for the future..Besides that, the oldness doesn`t prevent the development of life projects, since these are inherent to life and to the constitution of each one