The meaning attributed to 'being old' by workers of long term care nursing institutions

Authors

  • Priscilleyne Ouverney Reis UNICAMP; Faculdade de Ciências Médicas; Centro de Atenção à Saúde da Mulher
  • Maria Filomena Ceolim UNICAMP; Faculdade de Ciências Médicas; Departamento de Enfermagem

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342007000100008

Keywords:

Aged, Aging, Homes for the aged, Concept formation, Health personnel

Abstract

This is a descriptive and explorative study with a quantitative approach aimed at identifying the meaning of 'being old' according to 50 health-care workers responsible for direct nursing care to elderly residents in nursing homes. Data was obtained by means of the Portuguese version of the 'Semantic Differential Scale' validated in Brazil. Subjects were predominantly nursing assistants and 'general services' workers. The majority of them conferred to the elderly the adjectives beautiful, tender, sweet, wise, interesting, with sense of opportunity, humble and resigned. The attributes destructive, insecure, critic and intrusive were also cited. Most subjects selected adjectives that, in spite of being positive, are also related with docility and passivity.

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Published

2007-03-01

Issue

Section

Original Article

How to Cite

Reis, P. O., & Ceolim, M. F. (2007). The meaning attributed to ’being old’ by workers of long term care nursing institutions. Revista Da Escola De Enfermagem Da USP, 41(1), 57-64. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342007000100008