Academic experiences and health promotion actions in a long-term care institution for elderly: speech-language pathology experience report

Abstract

The change of the Brazilian age pyramid, with the increase of the elderly population, is an aspect that is evident over the years. The Long Stay Institution for the Elderly (LSIE) can be a social structure as a possible alternative for the care of some old aging people. In this context, it can be found in the group formation, the strengthening of the subject in face of adversities in favor of a better quality of life that can be possible by carrying out activities to promote health. This paper aims to describe aspects related to the aged group activities in a LSIE located in the south of the country. Weekly activities were carried out with 20 LSIE residents, totaling 12 meetings. It was possible to observe a predominance of the male gender. The actions were performed by the execution of activities like conversation groups, songs and elaboration of handmade products together, being the most part of those activities focused in the playful aspect. It was attempted performing the cognitive stimulation, communication, expressivity and social interaction as well. Throughout the meetings, there was a growing motivation of the residents in the involvement of what was proposed, as well as the approximation of the LSIE professionals with the activities conductors. The speech-language pathology took place by widening the look beyond the technical aspect, but facing the elderly health promotion.