Older adults’ perceptions about how to face covid-19

Abstract

Objective: to understand older adults’ perceptions about how to face COVID-19. Method: a qualitative research study of the participant-action type, with its theoretical basis grounded on Paulo Freire, adapted to the reality of the pandemic. The Research Itinerary stages were followed with an analogy to wine: Thematic Research for color; Coding-Decoding for sweetness and acidity; and Critical Unveiling for alcohol. A virtual Culture Circle was held in August 2020, including 23 older adults from a Cohabitation Center in southern Brazil. Results: Generating Themes: 1) Bitter repercussions of COVID-19, especially fears, insecurity, anxiety, lack of interaction with people, and missing how daily life was before isolation; 2) Sweet repercussions of COVID-19, unveiling hope, faith, reinvention of life, lessons learned, feeling loved, cared for and supported, even if at a distance. Conclusion: maintenance of the older adults’ physical and mental capacity in the face of social tragedies must be guided by guidelines on comprehensive care protocols to prevent diseases and promote health.