Abstract

RODRIGUEZ RISCART, Madelin; LA ROSA MUSTELIER, Mery  and  REYES GONZALEZ, Maira. Interrelation of the family with the institutionalized older adult. Rev Cubana Enfermer [online]. 2006, vol.22, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-2961.

Several studies have described the influence of good family relations on the individuals' health and , in particular, on the elderly. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the interrelation of the family with the older adult at “Noel Fernández Pérez” home for the aged, in Vertientes, Camagüey, in 2003. . Of 120 elderly living in the institution, 50 were selected at random as a study sample. A questionnaire was designed and applied to collect the data of interest. It was found that 70 % received visits. Most of these visits were monthly or every 2 to 3 months. A few of them were weekly visited. Though the physical disability hindered the visit of many aged persons to their relatives, most of them considered that their relations were satisfactory. Only 6 % of the institutionalized elderly had no family, 50 % had 10 and more relatives that could visit them, and the rest between 1 and 9 relatives. A considerable group of aged persons considered as fair the communication of the family with the workers at the home for the aged. It was concluded that the interrelation of the family with the institutionalized older adults in this home for the aged could be better, just a few had no family, and half of the sample had an important number of relatives that could visit them; however, a low percentage of the elderly received weekly visits, but in spite of all this they thought their intrafamily relations were good.

Keywords : Family; institutionalized older adult; aging..

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