Abandono na velhice: a realidade dos (as) idosos (as) das obras sociais Adolfo Bezerra de Menezes

Abstract

The current work was developed with the goal to understand the family abandonment rebate of the elderly, due to the growing number of elderly in this situation Long-Term Institutions for Elderly (LTIE), because of their disabilities or family abandonment were institutionalized. The cases of negligence and violence have been increasing significantly as well as the number of institutionalized judicially determined. The Federal Constitution from 1988, in art.299 and 230, says “older children must help and support their parents over old age, lack or illness”, “ it’s the obligation of, society and the State to support the elderly.” Therefore, the field research was based on the LTIE “Obras Sociais Adolfo Bezerra de Menezes” in Ituiutaba. The participants were five institutionalized elderly. The data collection was made through interviews with forms containing open and closed questions. Hence, we sought to understand how the elderly deal with family abandonment from the narrative of all of them as well as the analysis made from the qualitative methodological approach. After analyzing the results, it was noticed that although the elderly are well cared for in the LTIE, they miss more regular visits from family members, and there was a need for more information directed to the elderly family member, addressing the consequences brought by emotional abandonment of the relative affecting the well-being of the institutionalized elderly.