I'M STILL HERE? ANTHROPOLOGICAL SUFFERING IN THE AGING PROCESS IN GESTALT-THERAPY

Abstract

Introduction: Transgenerational relationships in contemporary times are surrounded by dilemmas and contrasts. With the increase in life expectancy, many family homes are being inhabited by three and even four generations, as a result, Long-Term Institutions for the Elderly – ILPI end up being a widely used resource. On the other hand, subjects are removed from their homes and family life and friends. New challenges are imposed and the process of reframing new ways of life often ends up causing too much suffering. Objectives: To characterize and describe interventions in Gestalt therapy that promote the inclusion of elderly residents in ILPI, in daily activities, as well as in coexistence among residents, caregivers, other professionals and family members, promoting the rescue of citizenship and acceptance of requests and desires that were curtailed during the aging process. Relevance: The relevance of the research in progress is based on data published by Municipal Health Departments that reveal an alarming number of elderly people medicated with antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers and hypnotic drugs, which are prescribed without psychotherapeutic follow-up and used as the only form of relief for symptoms of sadness, apathy, aggressiveness, motor agitation or any behavior that does not fit the current normative standards. In this way, the research is dedicated to carrying out the diagnosis, through the expanded clinic, in order to locate in the elderly signs and symptoms of anthropological suffering, which can be welcomed and receive the appropriate intervention within the precepts of Gestalt-therapy. Articulation with the thematic axis of the congress: Many technological changes have been experienced in the last decades, which bring better living conditions, vaccines that eradicate diseases and prevent many others, the evolution of medicine in general, as well as the structures of the great urban centers that are improving their sanitation conditions and care for the vulnerable. On the other hand, these innovations bring impacts that can be experienced with great intensity by people aged 60 or over, considered elderly. The World Health Organization - WHO estimates that by the year 2050 there will be more than 2 billion elderly people in the world, and of these, 80% will be located in developing countries, such as Brazil. In this sense, transgenerational relationships will be subject to greater challenges, mainly related to caring for the elderly. Methodology: The ongoing research is characterized by an exploratory study, with a bibliographic review and a qualitative data approach. For the research to advance to the interview stage, it will be submitted to the Research Ethics Committee and, if approved, it will be restricted to subjects who fill out the Free and Informed Consent Form. Main conclusions: Anthropological suffering brings the social dimension directly impacting subjectivity, producing consequences that stain, enslave and disturb minds and bodies. It is believed that the present study can contribute in order to equip Gestalt therapists in caring for the elderly, especially those residing in ILPI and who are in anthropological distress.