Elizabeth Joan Barham

A arte de cuidar do idoso: gerontologia como profissão?

Las estadisticas indican que en el 2025 tendremos en Brasil mas de 32 millones de personas con mas de 60 anos. La mayor longevidad traera un aumento significativo de las enfermedades cronicas que, consecuentemente, traeran una mayor dependencia de los adultos mayores. Este siglo sera marcado por nuevas necesidades de cuidado. Considerando que la Gerontologia es una ciencia que estudia el proceso de envejecimiento en sus diversas dimensiones y que, en la practica, desde el punto de vista actual, se constituye en una especialidad de diferentes profesiones, este texto trae una reflexion sobre la formacion de profesionales envueltos con el arte de cuidar a los adultos mayores. Considerandose a Gerontologia como una ciencia interdisciplinar, sera que el mejor camino a seguir es la especializacion de las profesiones existentes o la creacion de una nueva profesion? Esta es una cuestion polemica que merece de atencion al pensarse en la Enfermeria y en otras profesiones del area de la salud y en las perspectivas y dilemas de la Gerontologia y su interdisciplinaridad.Statistics indicate that, by 2005, there will be more than 32 million Brazilians over 60 years of age. The increase in longevity will lead to a significant increase in chronic diseases, which, in turn, will increase dependency levels among the elderly. Thus, this century will be marked by new caregiving demands. Considering that gerontology is a science that studies the many dimensions of the aging process but that, in current practice, it is treated as a specialty of various professions, this paper presents a reflection on the preparation of professionals, involved in caring for the elderly. Given that gerontology is an interdisciplinary science, is the best course to follow the specialization of professionals in existing areas, or the creation of a new profession? This is a contentious issue that requires attention when thinking about nursing and other health professions, given the perspectives and dilemmas of gerontology and its interdisciplinary nature.As estatisticas indicam que teremos no Brasil, em 2025, mais de 32 milhoes de pessoas com mais de 60 anos. A maior longevidade trara um aumento significativo de doencas cronicas que, como consequencia, poderao acarretar maior dependencia dos idosos. Este seculo sera marcado, entao, por novas necessidades de cuidado. Considerando que a gerontologia e a ciencia que estuda o processo de envelhecimento em suas mais diversas dimensoes e que, na pratica, na otica atual, se constitui em uma especialidade de diferentes profissoes, este texto traz uma reflexao sobre a formacao de profissionais envolvidos na arte de cuidar do idoso. Sendo a gerontologia uma ciencia interdisciplinar, o melhor caminho a seguir e a especializacao das profissoes existentes ou a criacao de uma nova profissao? Esta e uma questao polemica que merece atencao ao se pensar na enfermagem e em outras profissoes da area da saude, e nas perspectivas e dilemas da gerontologia e sua interdisciplinaridade.

Repertório de habilidades sociais, problemas de comportamento, autoconceito e desempenho acadêmico de crianças no início da escolarização

This study aims to examine the relationships between childrens socio-emotional development (social skills, internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems and self-concept) and their academic achievement. Study participants included 97 mothers and fathers, 99 children in grades one or two, and 20 teachers. The childrens repertory of social skills and behavioral problems was evaluated by parents, teachers and children (Social Skills Rating Scale). The childrens self-concept was assessed using self-evaluations (Self-description Questionnaire 1); the childrens academic performance was evaluated by the teachers based on the Social Skills Rating Scale, and subsequently together with the children using the School Performance Test. Significant positive correlations were found among the childrens repertory of social skills, self-concept and academic achievement. In addition, these three variables were negatively correlated with the childrens behavioral problems. These results point to there being a relationship between socio-emotional development and academic performance among children at the school-entry transition stage and the probable benefits of skills programs for children during this period, in either area, with gains also likely in the other area.

O envolvimento paterno e o desenvolvimento social de crianças iniciando as atividades escolares

Este estudo relacionou indicadores do envolvimento paterno com indicadores de desenvolvimento social dos filhos. Participaram 97 pares de pais e maes (com filhos na 1a ou 2a serie) e 20 professoras. Para avaliar o envolvimento paterno, pais e maes responderam a Avaliacao do bem-estar pessoal e familiar e do relacionamento pai-filho - Versao Paterna, e para avaliar o desenvolvimento social das criancas, os pais, as maes e as professoras preencheram o Social Skills Rating System-SSRS. Quanto maior a frequencia de comunicacao entre pai e filho e de participacao do pai nos cuidados e nas atividades escolares, culturais e de lazer do filho, menor o indice de hiperatividade e de problemas de comportamento e mais adequado o repertorio de habilidades sociais das criancas. Os resultados indicam a provavel importância do envolvimento positivo do pai para o desenvolvimento social dos filhos e os provaveis beneficios de programas para promover envolvimento paterno.This study aimed to examine the relationships between indicators of parental involvement and their children’s social and included 97 father-mother pairs (parents of children in the first or second grade), and 20 teachers. To evaluate father involvement, fathers and mothers completed an Evaluation of personal and family wellbeing and the parent-child relationship – Fathering Version, and to evaluate the children’s social development, the mothers, fathers and teachers completed the Social Skills Rating System–SSRS. The results indicate that more frequent: communication between father and child, paternal participation in child caregiving and in the child’s school, cultural and leisure activities are each associated with indicators of lower hyperactivity, fewer behavior problems and a wider repertoire of appropriate social skills. These results point to the importance of the constructive involvement of fathers for their children’s social development and the likely benefits of programs to promote father involvement.

Percepções de suporte familiar e qualidade de vida entre idosos segundo a vulnerabilidade Social

The present study examines the relation between perceptions of quality of life and of family support among elderly people according to their level of social vulnerability and other sociodemographic characteristics. Interviews were conducted with six groups of 25 elderly people (N = 150), one group for each level of vulnerability, in a mediumsized municipality in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The instruments used were: the Family Support Perception Inventory, Quality of Life in Alzheimers disease and the Brazilian Family Economic Classification Checklist. Statistically significant correlations indicate that levels of social vulnerability are directly related to socioeconomic measures, as expected, but also to perceptions of family support (total, consistent-affective, of adaptation and autonomy) and of quality of life.

Trabalho noturno e o novo papel paterno: uma interface difícil

The demand for night shift workers is increasing at the same time as the role of the father within the family has expanded. The objective of this study was to compare workplace conditions, personal well-being and family involvement between fathers working on the day shift (n=36) and on night shift (n=22). Workers completed a questionnaire that used various scales to evaluate these issues. Compared to the day shift workers, the night shift workers indicated that they received greater support from work colleagues and supervisors, felt more satisfied with their benefits and salary and had a lower frequency of interruptions during the workday, but felt less satisfied about the shift they worked and about spending less time with their children. With regard to family involvement, both groups experienced moderate to high levels of stress and only a moderate level of satisfaction. Despite the more favorable working conditions, fathers on the night shift were less satisfied with their work hours, seemingly due to the lack of time spent with family members.

Platelet a disintegrin and metallopeptidase 10 expression correlates with clock drawing test scores in Alzheimer's disease

Earlier studies have demonstrated that a disintegrin and metallopeptidase 10 (ADAM10) levels are reduced in Alzheimers disease (AD) patients compared with healthy subjects. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether platelet ADAM10 levels correlates with the clock drawing test (CDT) scores, which is a simple and a reliable measure of visuospatial ability and executive function in AD patients.

O envolvimento de idosos em atividades prazerosas: revisão da literatura sobre instrumentos de aferição

O prazer experimentado ao se envolver em atividades e fator fundamental para o bem-estar do idoso. Estudos mostram que pratica de atividades agradaveis atua como variavel mediadora na prevencao e superacao de desordens psicologicas, ajuda a lidar com os efeitos negativos de perda de funcionalidade, viuvez e pouco contato familiar, bem como prediz bem-estar fisico e psicologico. A literatura consultada mostrou que, no Brasil, as pesquisas que abordam esse tema sao incipientes, e que nao existe ainda um instrumento validado para a realidade brasileira que avalie envolvimento de idosos em atividades prazerosas. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar instrumentos existentes que avaliam a frequencia do envolvimento de idosos em atividades e o nivel de prazer subjetivo experimentado em cada uma delas, para entao sugerir um instrumento a ser submetido a um processo de validacao transcultural no Brasil. As bases de dados utilizadas foram: CAPES, SciElo, LILACS e Medline. Nao foram localizados instrumentos brasileiros que medissem o envolvimento de idosos em atividades prazerosas. Foram localizados tres instrumentos internacionais: The California Older Persons Pleasant Events Schedule (COPPES); The Pleasant Events Schedule-AD (PES-AD) e The Pool Activity Level (PAL). Todos os instrumentos apresentaram boas propriedades psicometricas, no entanto o COPPES aparentou ser o instrumento mais apropriado para uma validacao transcultural para o Brasil. Espera-se que um instrumento desta natureza possa contribuir para a realizacao de pesquisas, planejamento e avaliacao de intervencoes e estrategias preventivas focadas na promocao de bem-estar entre idosos, no Brasil.

Habilidades sociais e estratégias de enfrentamento de estresse: relação com indicadores de bem-estar psicológico em cuidadores de idosos de alta dependência

OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we verified the relationship between the use of social skills and coping strategies and measures of perceived psychological wellbeing among eldercare providers. METHOD: This is a descriptive, correlational study. Participants included 20 caregivers of elderly relatives with high dependency levels. During the interviews, the caregivers completed a Social Skills Inventory, a Coping Strategies Scale, a Caregiver Burden Interview and a Quality of Dyadic Relationship Scale. The relationship between the frequency of use of social skills and coping strategies and measures of perceived burden and quality of the dyadic relationship was examined using Spearman´s bivariate correlation procedure. RESULTS: The caregivers who reported using particular social skills and coping strategies more often reported fewer conflicts with the elderly care recipient and lower perceptions of caregiver burden. CONCLUSION: This study on eldercare providers adds to the literature that demonstrates a positive relationship between social skills and coping strategies and indicators of better psychological wellbeing. Studies are needed to evaluate whether interventions that promote the acquisition or improvement of these social skills and coping strategies can help to improve the psychological wellbeing of eldercare providers.

Impactos de uma Intervenção com Pais: O Desempenho Acadêmico e Comportamento das Crianças na Escola

This paper presents the impacts of a parent intervention program on the academic performance and classroom behavior of their children. The participants of the study were either first or second grade students. There were three groups of participants: Experimental Group 1 (EG1 - 29 children whose fathers participated in the intervention program along with the childrens teachers); Experimental Group 2 (EG2 - 36 children whose mothers participated in the intervention program along with the childrens teachers); and Control Experimental Group (CG - 34 children, whose parents did not participate in the intervention program, and the childrens teachers). Before and after the intervention program, the children were evaluated using the Academic Achievement Test (AAT) and their teachers completed an open-ended questionnaire as well as the teachers version of the Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS-T). In comparison with the pre-test, in the post-test the children in the EG1 and EG2 (but not in the CG) obtained: (a) higher overall scores in the AAT and in the reading sub-test; (b) more positive results in the SSRS-T; and (c) were rated by their teachers as presenting a greater number of positive attributes and a smaller number of negative attributes.

Sistema de informações geográficas para a gestão de programas municipais de cuidado a idosos

This paper describes the construction of an information system, integrating geographic and health care data for elderly people with dementia who were registered in Family Health Units in a municipality in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study is descriptive, based on a quantitative investigation conducted between June, 2006 and June, 2007. The methodological steps included the preparation of a database, registering the attributes of the elderly; of a second, geo-referenced registry; and the development of an operational platform to link these two information sets. In-home evaluations were conducted with 1048 elderly, 275 of whom presented cognitive impairments. The creation of this system enables a visualization of the geographic distribution of elderly with dementia, the investigation of geographic and health data associations; and the identification of risk and vulnerability factors. As such, geo-processing technologies enable important new possibilities for planning care initiatives in gerontology, improving public health program management.