Cuidados paliativos com pessoas idosas: investigação em uma instituição de longa permanência

Abstract

Introduction: Palliative care presents an approach focused on the human being in its entirety. Through actions to prevent and alleviate suffering, it provides a better quality of life for patients and family members who face serious, life-threatening illness. With the evident growth of the elderly population in Brazil, it is increasingly necessary to favor quality of life, aiming to combine knowledge and scientific techniques with care, in order to provide an attentive look and directed to the specific demands of patients. Objective: To know the use and meaning of palliative care practiced by the health team of a Long Term Care Institution for the Elderly (ILPI) in the city of Gurupi - TO, from the perspective of the members of this team. Methodology: 16 health professionals from a Long Term Care Facility for the Elderly (ILPI) in the city of Gurupi - TO participated in the research. It was a descriptive and exploratory research, with a qualitative approach. For data collection, semi-structured interviews were used, prepared by the author based on the established theoretical framework. The data were understood from the perspective of Bardin's content analysis. Results: It was possible to identify that the use of palliative actions by the professionals of the health team is present, however, associated with the care of the daily life of the elderly. The interviewees stated that the lack of qualification is a determining factor for the concrete practice in palliative care. Conclusion: It is observed that the health team recognizes the frailty of the elderly, and a network of support, reception and protection is sought, but palliative care goes beyond actions aimed at basic survival care, requiring from the technical preparation and multidisciplinary assistance.