Marina Picazzio Perez Batista

Programa de orientação com ênfase em práticas de autocuidado para motoristas idosos

Objective: To present the results of an orientation program for elderly drivers which emphasized practices of self-care. The secondary objective was to describe the personal difficulties and environmental challenges identified by participants when driving a vehicle. Method: An intervention study of elderly drivers was performed. It included individual interviews, an orientation program and a focus group session. Results: A total of 13 elderly persons, aged between 62 and 82, participated in the study. Seven (54%) reported difficulties in driving, of whom five (71.4%) mentioned difficulties in interacting with the environment; three (42.9%) described emotional difficulties and three (42.9%) cited physical, sensory and/or cognitive difficulties. In the focus group session, the elderly persons reflected on factors addressed during the program that interfered with the act of driving, reporting that they had increased their self-care practices to cope with these. A majority of the participants identified the influence of attention deficits and the adverse effect of emotional issues when driving a vehicle. In terms of conditions relating to the social and physical environment, the elderly persons criticized the uncontrolled growth of traffic, mentioned their concerns about other drivers and pointed out deficiencies in the mechanisms of education, traffic control and punishment of traffic violations. They also discussed potential changes to encourage the mobility of pedestrians, a condition also experienced by the drivers. Conclusion: The elderly persons elucidated the importance of orientation in self-care practices, highlighting the importance of a dialogue between professionals and the elderly to discuss a wide range of practices related to factors that affect vehicle driving in order to maintain safety when driving for as long as possible.

Formal caregivers of older adults: reflection about their practice

OBJECTIVE To understand the job function of caregivers of older adults and contribute to the debate on the consolidation of this professional practice. METHODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES This is a descriptive, qualitative, and exploratory study. Four focal group sessions were performed in 2011 with 11 elderly companions, formal caregivers of older adults in the Programa Acompanhante de Idosos (Program for Caregivers of Older Adults), Sao Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil. These sessions, guided by a semi-structured script, were audio-recorded and fully transcribed. Data were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique, Thematic Modality. RESULTS In view of considering the caregivers of older adults as a new category of workers, it was difficult to define their duties. The elderly companions themselves as well as the care receivers, their families, and the professionals that comprised the team were unclear about their duties. The professional practice of these formal caregivers has been built on the basis of constant discussions and negotiations among them and other team members in Programa Acompanhante de Idosos during daily work. This was achieved via a recognition process of their job functions and by setting apart other workers’ exclusive responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS The delimitation of specific job functions for elderly companions is currently one of the greatest challenges faced by these workers to develop and consolidate their professional role as well as improve Programa Acompanhante de Idosos.

Cuidadores formais de idosos: contextualização histórica no cenário brasileiro

This paper aims to relate the historical of formal elderly caregivers in the Brazilian context, highlighting the main regulatory frameworks and national discussion forums related to this theme. The study acknowledged the complexity that involves the activities developed by these workers and the importance of the training programs to support them in providing assistance. The historical background showed both some controversies in legislation and different views of the participants at the discussion forums. It evinces the need of a careful and an in-depth reflection that may contribute to the appropriate regulation of the elderly caregiver profession. In this context, studies that address this theme are relevant to guide the implementation of public policies for the elderly needfulness.

Reliability and Validity of the Brazilian Version of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument

OBJECTIVE We evaluated the test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Brazilian version of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument. METHOD A sample of 118 older adults provided data for testing construct validity and internal consistency, and 14 provided data for testing test-retest reliability. Factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to assess construct validity. RESULTS The Function component had excellent test-retest and total internal consistency reliability. Factor analysis revealed that the Upper Extremity Function and Advanced Lower Extremity Function domains were similar to the original analysis. The Disability component showed adequate to excellent test-retest reliability, except in the Management role; total internal consistency was excellent. Factor analysis revealed that its domains were similar to the original analysis, except for some items. CONCLUSION The Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument is recommended for assessment of Brazilian community-dwelling older adults who are functionally independent and who do not require mobility assistance.