Pearls in the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of older adults' lived experiences in Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31211/interacoes.n40.2021.a2Palavras-chave:
População idosa, Pandemia do COVID-19, Desafios, Mecanismos de enfrentamento, Cuidados infantisResumo
Este estudo investiga as experiências vividas pela população idosa no Gana durante a pandemia COVID-19, ao longo da trajetória das dimensões sociais, de saúde, de cuidado infantil, de autocuidado e humanitária e a forma como eles percorreram os seus efeitos, utilizando um conjunto de dados qualitativos baseados em metodologia interpretativa. A amostra [n = 10] foi selecionada usando a técnica de amostragem intencional. O artigo conclui que a atual pandemia apresenta desafios sociais significativos. As restrições aos movimentos sociais humanos têm implicações para o isolamento social. O isolamento social pode levar à solidão e à depressão. Essencialmente, a solidão e o distanciamento social de longo prazo, fisiologicamente, têm a propensão de diminuir a capacidade de um indivíduo em combater infeções e inflamações. Em consequência, os participantes do estudo adotaram uma miríade de estratégias de sobrevivência, como o vínculo social com os netos, mantendo-se ocupados, cuidando e socializando as crianças fora do ambiente da sala de aula tradicional e, ainda, mantendo-as focadas academicamente. Essas atividades facilitam a interação social entre adultos mais velhos e as crianças, colmatando a lacuna de cuidado infantil que o encerramento das escolas trouxe e aliviando as mães que trabalham. Também serve como uma forma disfarçada de gestão de rendimento, embora escassa. Em conclusão, é fundamental que haja mais reflexão e estudo das dimensões sociais, psicológicas / emocionais, do autocuidado e do cuidado infantil da pandemia.
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