Role of autonomy in self-assessment of health by the elderly

Authors

  • Maria das Graças Uchôa Penido Fonseca Fundação Oswaldo Cruz; Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou
  • Josélia Oliveira Araújo Firmo Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Fiocruz; Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde Pública e Envelhecimento
  • Antônio Ignácio Loyola Filho Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Fiocruz; Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde Pública e Envelhecimento
  • Elizabeth Uchôa UFMG; Faculdade de Medicina; Departamento de Psiquiatria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010000100017

Keywords:

Health of the Elderly, Self Assessment (Health), Personal Autonomy, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To understand the meanings attributed to self-assessment of health by the elderly. METHODS: Qualitative study performed with 17 elderly individuals (>; 70 years of age) of both sexes, living in the city of Bambuí, Southeastern Brazil, in 2008. An anthropological approach based on the model of signs, meanings and actions, which associates individual actions, cultural codes and the macro-social context, was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, focusing on self-assessment of health, description of health as "good" and "poor" and the criteria used by the elderly to rate their own health. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS: The idea organizing reports associates self-assessment of health by the elderly with the "participating in life" and "being anchored in life" logics. The first logic has autonomy as its basic line of thinking, including the following categories: remaining active within advanced instrumental and functional abilities, being in charge of one's life (as opposed to being dependent on others), being able to solve problems and acting at will. The second logic unites the following categories: being able to interact, being engaged in meaningful relationships and being able to rely on family members, friends and neighbors. CONCLUSIONS: Health is understood by the elderly as having autonomy in the exercise of functional abilities required by society, such as the ability to meet family obligations and the ability to perform social roles. By defining their health as good or fair, the elderly individual is not characterized as someone free from diseases, but rather able to act over the environment.

Published

2010-01-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Role of autonomy in self-assessment of health by the elderly . (2010). Revista De Saúde Pública, 44(1), 159-165. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102010000100017