Intervention of occupational therapists with frail elderly

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational therapists make up the teams that provide assistance to frail elderly people in different care contexts, including health, social assistance and culture. Objective: To identify the role of occupational therapists who work with frail elderly people. Method: Qualitative and exploratory study. Interviews were carried out with occupational therapists who work with frail elderly people in the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, using a semi-structured script of questions. "Snowball sampling" was used. The results were analyzed using thematic-categorical content analysis. Results: Nine occupational therapists working in health, social care and culture were interviewed. The categories found were: I) actions developed by occupational therapists in assisting frail elderly people; II) teamwork and articulation of knowledge, contributions and challenges; III) articulation of networks and intersectoriality; IV) relevant aspects in comprehensive care for frail elderly people. The interviewees perform diversified actions, considering the cultural and social insertion of the elderly and public policies; shared with team professionals and with services from the sectorial and intersectorial network; included caregivers in the assistance provided to the frail elderly. Conclusion: Among the challenges faced by occupational therapists in working with frail elderly people, there is the incorporation of the premises of integrality, intersectoriality and teamwork. The different actions taken are supported by public policies for aging, and seek unique care based on biopsychosocial complexity and contextual aspects that influence aging. The results indicate the need to expand the insertion of occupational therapists in teams that offer care to frail elderly people in different care contexts.