El proceso de adaptación de las personas adultas mayores institucionalizadas en el Hogar Miguel León, en Cuenca. Año 2023

Abstract

Aging is a problem that is experienced in this century, there are more and more older adults, both national and local. Some older adults are in risk situations, their rights are vulnerable or their family cannot be responsible for their care due to lack of time or other circumstances associated with age, for this reason the possibility of institutionalizing them is taken into account. in care centers or gerontological centers that support and guarantee the rights of this population. The research aims to analyze the adaptation process of older adults when they become institutionalized in the Miguel León Home. The methodology has a qualitative approach, with a descriptive design. It has a phenomenological method, where an interview was applied which was divided into two sections, the first with 17 questions was applied to older adults with family references and the second with 13 questions for those older adults who do not have family references. The ATLAS TI software was used to process the information. Among the most relevant findings was that the adaptation process experienced by older adults when they are institutionalized generates feelings of loneliness, abandonment and family loss, while, for others, by not having family references or due to family abuse, the Institutionalization represents a refuge and a place where they find the tranquility they need. Among the causes of institutionalization is the lack of time on the part of their caregivers or their own decision that is motivated by the absence of support networks for their care. Older adults who are institutionalized, the majority of the population, have family references; however, there is no such accompaniment and support, which is a fundamental part to alleviate the burden of institutionalization.