Benefícios da vizinhança para suporte emocional de idosos

Mental Health Benefits of Neighborhood for Older Mexican American Men
by John Davy on March 28, 2011

For all the positive steps we can take for our health—exercise, social engagement, diet—much of our wellbeing is out of our control. A growing body of research demonstrates that factors such as stressors we experience, our parents’ income and education, and the neighborhoods we grow up in can all be risk factors for our health. Research has shown that economically disadvantaged neighborhoods lead to a greater risk of mortality and morbidity. At the same time, neighborhoods can also provide protective benefits. A recent study in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society showed that, for Mexican American men aged 75 and older, living in a neighborhood with a high density of Mexican Americans is associated with a lower risk of depression (Gerst et al 2011).

The data was drawn from a large scale study, the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE) multi-wave study. Researchers looked at demographic factors such as immigration and marriage status, education, depressive symptoms, and physical health for almost 2000 community-dwelling Mexican Americans aged 75 and older. This individual data was coded by census tract to establish the percentage of Mexican Americans living in the neighborhood. The researchers used multilevel regression modeling to look for the effect on neighborhood on depressive symptoms, when controlling for other individual factors.

The researchers found that, for men, living in a neighborhood with a higher Mexican American population was predictive of fewer depressive symptoms. The effect of neighborhood for women on depression was in the same direction as for men, but was below statistical significance. As in most other studies, women had a higher overall rate of depression. Having a lower number of physical health problems and being married were also seen to be beneficial for the men, while, for women, a lower education level and physical limitations were predictive of depressive symptoms. The researchers hypothesized that within this cohort of Mexican Americans, neighborhood and other extrafamilial social support may be better sustained for men.

The findings suggest that neighborhood environment may provide men in particular with additional resources for wellbeing. Other research has suggested that neighborhood social support is often more closely related to depressive symptoms among older men than for older women. It should be stressed that the research did not demonstrably show that there is no neighborhood benefit for women, merely that it was not statistically significant within the sample.

This research suggests the need to consider gender when developing community-level prevention programs, and the possible utility of creating new community programs for older Mexican Americans in neighborhoods that are low-density Mexican American. The researchers argue that future longitudinal studies, and comparisons with other minority populations, will better allow us to understand the relationship between neighborhood and mental health.



Article cited:

Gerst, K, Miranda PY, Eschbach K, Sheffield KM, Peek MK, and Markides KS, (2011). “Protective Neighborhoods: Neighborhood Proportion of Mexican Americans and Depressive Symptoms in Very Old Mexican Americans.” Journal of the American Geriatric Society (59):353-358.

A internet afeta a sociabilidade dos idosos ?(Aging in Action)

Does Internet Use Affect Offline Social Networks of Users Age 50 and Up?
by Cate O'Brien on March 25, 2011

With the proportion of older adults using the internet increasing every year, researchers have begun to examine how the internet affects various aspects of their well-being. Perhaps because the internet is often a solitary activity, its impact on social support and social networks has gained some attention in the literature. In a recent study by Hogeboom, McDermott, Perrin and Osman, researchers examined the potential association between Internet use and social networks among adults age 50 and older.

Level of social support is significant because of its demonstrated impact on physical and psychosocial well-being. The literature on internet use and social support among the general population has produced mixed and sometimes conflicting findings. Some studies have suggested that internet use increases social support, often by enabling more frequent communication with families and friends, thereby allowing individuals to maintain relationships. Users of disease-specific online support groups also report benefits. However other studies suggest that internet use weakens relationships by detracting from face-to-face interactions, and adversely affects those who are most socially isolated.

Data for this study were obtained from the 2004 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a longitudinal study of more than 22,000 noninstitutionalized Americans age 50 and older (Heeringa & Connor, 1996). The final sample included 2284 individuals, approximately half of whom were internet users. Three areas were assessed relative to the impact of internet use by older adults: 1) number of close ties with family, friends, and confidants, and 2) number of contacts with those close ties. In addition, they sought to determine whether age moderates any Internet use-social network associations.

Researchers found that internet use was not a significant predictor of close ties. It was positively associated with contact with friends and family, in-person contacts with other family, and attendance at meetings. Internet users over the age of 50 were more likely to participate in non-religious organizations or clubs than nonusers, consistent either other studies that demonstrate an association between the internet use and community involvement. It should be noted however that the cross-sectional nature of this study precludes any assumptions of causality. Still this study makes a valuable contribution to the small body of literature on the impact of internet use on social support among older adults.

Article Cited:

Hogeboom, D.L., McDermott, R.J. , Perrin, K.M. , Osman, H. & Bell-Ellison, B.A. (2010) Internet use and social networking among middle aged and older adults. Educational Gerontology, 36(2):93 – 111.

Jardinagem e ficar mais velho

From: Andy Soos, ENN
Published March 28, 2011 08:02 AM

Getting Older

Aging is the accumulation of changes in an organism or object over time. Aging in humans refers to a process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of aging grow and expand over time, while others decline. Reaction time, for example, may slow with age, while knowledge of world events and wisdom may expand. Research shows that even late in life potential exists for physical, mental, and social growth and development. With that said for some people getting old means losing quality of life and wellness. Does gardening contribute to quality of life and increased wellness for older adults? Researchers from the Texas A&M and Texas State Universities asked these questions in a survey of people aged 50 and older. The survey revealed some compelling reasons for older adults to get themselves out in the garden.



Aime Sommerfeld, Jayne Zajicek, and Tina Waliczek designed a questionnaire to investigate older adult gardeners' and nongardeners' perceptions of personal life satisfaction and levels of physical activity. According to Sommerfeld, lead author of the study published in HortTechnology: "The primary focus of the study was to determine if gardening had a positive impact on perceptions of quality of life and levels of physical activity of older adults when compared with nongardeners".
Gardening can provide moderate exercise for an older person and help maintain healthy ways. Also what one grows and then eats may be useful in maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Gardening ranges in scale from fruit orchards, to long boulevard plantings to residential yards including lawns and foundation plantings, to large or small containers grown inside or outside. Gardening may be very specialized, with only one type of plant grown, or involve a large number of different plants in mixed plantings. It involves an active participation in the growing of plants, and tends to be labor intensive. Gardening can be a hobby and hobbies engage a person actively and positively and thereby improves their quality of life.

To find out more about the health and attitudes of older adult who garden, Sommerfeld and colleagues designed a survey based on the Life Satisfaction Inventory A (LSIA), a tool that measures five components of quality of life: zest for life, resolution and fortitude, congruence between desired and achieved goals, physical, psychological, and social self-concept, and optimism.

The researchers found significant differences in overall life satisfaction scores, with gardeners receiving higher mean scores (indicating more positive results) on the LSIA. The authors explained explained: "More than 84% of gardeners agreed with the statement, ''I have made plans for things I'll be doing a month or a year from now'' compared with only 68% of nongardeners." Significant differences between gardeners and nongardeners were also noted in the energy level statement, ''I feel old and somewhat tired''. Gardeners disagreed with the statement at a rate of 70.9%, whereas 57.3% of nongardeners disagreed with the statement.

Older adults who garden also reported a higher level of daily physical activity compared to nongardening respondents. Over three times as many nongardeners (14.71%) considered themselves to be "quite inactive.", while only 4.43% of gardener said the same. "Almost twice as many gardeners (38%) considered themselves to be "very active" compared with only 19.6% of nongardeners", noted the study.

More than 75% of gardeners who participated in the survey rated their health as either ''very good'' or ''excellent'. Gardeners also reported eating more fruit and vegetables because of their exposure to gardening. "These factors, in conjunction with higher physical activity, result in healthier lifestyles and increased quality of life", the researchers wrote.

The study presents strong evidence that gardening can be an effective way for older adults to increase life satisfaction while also increasing physical activity. "In a time when older adults are living longer and enjoying more free time, gardening offers the opportunity to fulfill needs created by changing lifestyles. Gardening provides participants with opportunities to reconnect with themselves through nature and a healthy activity to enhance their quality of life", Sommerfeld concluded.

For further information: http://horttech.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/20/4/705 or http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-03/asfh-wmz031711.php

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Sêneca e a Sustentabilidade - Cartas a Lucílio

Passoas mais velhas em Vila Mariana

Idosos e Vila Mariana

A população em geral ainda não se concientizou da mudança antropológica que a espécie humana está sofrendo, graças as novas descobertas científicas e técnicas e a educação: as pessoas poderão viver até 90 anos. As mulheres, por exemplo ficam avós e se ‘aposentam’ aos 60 quando estão ainda jovens e fortes e podem agora viver e atuar por mais 30 anos. Um terço de suas vidas. Os mais idosos não tem consciência de sua importância, porque ela não é enxergada pela sociedade. Quatro gerações estão agora na terra com direitos e deveres iguais. Nas três novelas da Globo passando agora as quatro gerações aparecem e interagem, cada qual vivendo os seus próprios problemas, que são inter-relacionados.


A população do Brasil está envelhecendo.
O Brasil está tornando-se um país mais velho.
Vila Mariana é um bairro tradicional, onde famílias residem desde o início do século passado. Com o tempo, as crianças foram crescendo e com o desenvolvimento da cidade, se mudando para bairros mais modernos quando casaram. Em cada geração filhos foram ficando menos numerosos. Os pais vão envelhecendo, geralmente sózinhos ou com
pouca companhia da família. E os pais foram vivendo mais a cada ano.
Vila Mariana tinha 62.313 pessoas maiores do que 60 anos em 2.009. Segundo o SEADE, em 2.014 mais 22.016 habitantes de Vila Mariana serão maiores do que 60 anos. Mesmo considerando as pessoas que irão nascer e morrer até lá, será um aumento considerável na população mais idosa do bairro.

As pessoas mais idosas tem muitos problemas decorrentes da visão estereotipada que a sociedade tem do envelhecimento. Velhos por definição são esquecidos, feios, incapazes, doentes, estúpidos, fedidos e amolantes. Essa visão está gravada no inconsciente das pessoas, antes mesmo delas virem a conhecer uma pessoa mais velha. O maior elogio que se faz ao idoso é que ‘êle ainda está lúcido!?!’?

A cultura da beleza e da juventude não colabora para a mudança dessa imagem.

A maioria dos habitantes de Vila Mariana é de classe média ou alta, donde pode se deduzir que tenham meios próprios para se manter.
A maioria das pessoas idosas que conhecemos no entorno do Ecobairro vivem em suas casas há mais de quarenta anos, os companheiros morreram, os filhos casaram e moram longe, e vivem sózinhas, com medo de sair a rua devido a violência do bairro, ou por se sentirem inseguras devido a sua idade mais avançada. Em muitas se observa uma atitude de depressão. Em reuniões de família a sua opinião não conta, o que aumenta a sua tristeza. São apenas toleradas, como objetos velhos.

Vila Mariana é um bairro com muitos declives. A Sub-Prefeitura está reformando algumas ruas e praças para melhorar a mobilidade das pessoas. Essa falta de mobilidade torna os idosos ainda mais isolados, e deprimidos.

A situação das pessoas idosas mais pobres, habitantes das favelas e dos cortiços locais, é de uma solidão menor, porque vivem juntos de familiares e cuidam de netos ou filhos de vizinhos enquanto os pais estão trabalhando. Muitas delas ainda trabalham de uma forma ou outra porque são arrimos de família e a aposentadoria não é suficiente. Mesmo assim, seus filhos e netos não as tomam como exemplo, porque querem estudar e se modernizar para não ficarem na posição delas quando forem mais velhos.

Idosos se preocupam muito com doenças, especialmente o Alzheimer. Pensam nisso frequentemente. Doença muitas vezes é psicossomática, uma maneira de chamar a atenção ou pretexto para sair e ir ao médico.

Dentre os problemas comuns aos idosos em geral, não só os de Vila Mariana, além da preocupação obsessiva com a saúde e com o Alzheimer, temos:
• Baixa auto-estima
• Baixa assertividade
• Dificuldade na comunicação com os filhos, netos e amigos mais novos
• Falta de participação na vida familiar
• Falta de adaptação as novas realidades da era digital
• Sensação de ser um rejeito da família e da sociedade, sem utilidade mais nenhuma.
• Medo de tudo, especialmente da não aceitação
• Sensação de rejeição pelos outros: tende-se a tratar os idosos como crianças, patronizando-os, e eles detestam esse tratamento discriminatório.
• Falta de aplicação de sua experiência de vida na sua família e na vizinhança: esse é um problema para a sociedade: os idosos tem experiência de vida de um período em que se vivia com menos, plantava-se a sua horta e se cuidava do meio ambiente. Idosos são intrínsicamente sustentáveis. Esse know-how é desprezado pela família e pela vizinhança.
• Falta de vontade de participação na sociedade, devido a contínua rejeição pela sociedade causada por paradigmas viciados: instintivamente as pessoas tratam os idosos com paternalismo como se fossem crianças, o que eles detestam. Então se afastam.
• Falta de sensação de cidadania, apesar de conhecerem os direitos dos idosos. A sociedade os impede de cumprir os seus deveres, por que não os aceita.
• Necessidade de ser útil e de cumprir o seu dever para com a sociedade, utilizando o seu capital social para a melhoria do mundo.

Fazer exercícios, bailes, bingos e bolos ou viajar bastante não lhes tira a sensação de inutilidade, de serem rejeitos da sociedade

A consequência maior dessa série de situações para a sociedade é a perda do capital social de parte importante da sociedade, que tem muito a contribuir para a melhoria do mundo.