Pearls in the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of older adults' lived experiences in Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31211/interacoes.n40.2021.a2Palabras clave:
Older adults, COVID-19 pandemic, Challenges, Coping mechanisms, ChildcareResumen
Este estudio investiga las experiencias vividas por los adultos mayores de Ghana durante la pandemia COVID-19 a lo largo de la trayectoria de las dimensiones social, sanitaria, de cuidado infantil, de autocuidado y humanitario, y, cómo navegaron por los efectos de la misma, utilizando una metodología interpretativa basada en un conjunto de datos cualitativos. La muestra [n = 10] se seleccionó mediante una técnica de muestreo intencional. El documento revela que la pandemia actual plantea importantes desafíos sociales. Las restricciones a la movilidad social humana, tiene implicaciones para el aislamiento social. El aislamiento social puede provocar soledad y depresión. Esencialmente, la soledad y el distanciamiento social a largo plazo, fisiológicamente tienen la propensión de disminuir la capacidad de un individuo para combatir las infecciones y la inflamación. En consecuencia, los participantes del estudio adoptaron una gran variedad de estrategias de supervivencia, como la vinculación social con los nietos, mantenerse ocupados, cuidar y socializar a los niños fuera del entorno tradicional del aula y, sin embargo, mantenerlos enfocados académicamente. Estas actividades facilitan la interacción social entre los adultos mayores y los niños con la implicación de cerrar la brecha en el cuidado de los niños que el cierre de las escuelas ha provocado con algún tipo de alivio para las madres trabajadoras. También sirve como una vía de generación de ingresos disfrazada, aunque exigua. En conclusión, es imperativo realizar más reflexión y estudios sobre las dimensiones sociales, psicológicas/emocionales, de autocuidado y de cuidado infantil avivadas por la pandemia.
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