Deficiência física e envelhecimento: estudo das representações sociais de idosos sob reabilitação fisioterápica

Abstract

This study persons aimed to verify the Social Representations of elderly persons about physical disability. Participants were 15 elderly persons, of both sexes, with mean age 70.6 years, who were undergoing physiotherapy treatment at a Physiotherapy Clinic, in Campina Grande - PB. We used as instruments a sociodemographic questionnaire and photo-language with the free association technique. The material collected by interviews was categorized by thematic content analysis. It was found among the elderly, a representation of disability in three categories: the feelings aroused, the importance of family, and a positive future outlook. It is concluded that disability for these elderly persons represents a transition period in which they believe in the dynamics of rehabilitation. This positive emotional state, should help the overall condition of the elderly, determining a precondition for rehabilitation.