The (re) invention of daily life in aging by corporate and integrative practices: Possible choices, responsibilization and self-care

Abstract

Not all aging is accompanied by morbidities. The idea of aging permeates one's imaginary based on the different life experiences. This study aims to investigate reinvention in aging by insertion into the corporal and integrative practices. The sample was composed by a group of participants from a house of integrative and complementary practices, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, RJ. We used the participant observation method, from February to August 2017, with the application of semi-structured interviews, with participants who maintained a frequency of 2 to 3 times a week in the service. In the study sample (n = 20), the age ranged from 60 to 87 years, with a predominance of females (85%), which were linked to handicraft, balance, conversation, Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong groups. Data analysis applied the Content Analysis (CA) method. We show show that this group of people has been seeking new ways of living and relating, driven towards engaging aging and motivating options. Our study shows examples of (re) invention, demonstrating that the corporal and integrative practices improved quality of life and conscious choices, and that the exchange established in the coexistence favors not only the learning, but also the unveiling of choices that enable the exercise of an everyday life re-signified with greater autonomy.