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Authors
Abstract(s)
Atualmente, a investigação acerca da promoção do envelhecimento bemsucedido tem vindo a aumentar, e cada vez se identificam mais ferramentas para
realização de intervenção e avaliação cognitiva com população idosa. No entanto, na
maioria das vezes, os adultos idosos sem alfabetização acabam por ser excluídos de
participar pelas estratégias estudadas requererem uma componente de alfabetização.
Para existir uma maior capacidade de prevenção da deterioração cognitiva nesta
população é necessário, por um lado, compreender as diferenças cognitivas existentes
entre os indivíduos com e sem alfabetização, e por outro lado, adequar e testar os
instrumentos de rastreio e estratégias de estimulação cognitiva viáveis para uso com
esta população. O objetivo principal deste estudo é contribuir para o conhecimento
aprofundado do perfil de funcionamento cognitivo e estratégias de otimização cognitiva
em pessoas sem alfabetização, de modo a informar desenvolvimento de ferramentas de
estimulação cognitiva para prevenir a deterioração cognitiva nesta população.
De modo a recolher informação acerca de perfis de funcionamento cognitivo em
idosos sem alfabetização, foi desenvolvida uma investigação de natureza qualitativa,
tendo sido realizado um desenho participativo para recolha de dados através de 3
grupos focais: um com adultos idosos sem alfabetização (N=7), um com os técnicos que
trabalham com adultos idosos sem alfabetização (N=7) e um com familiares de adultos
idosos sem alfabetização (N=6). Foi realizada análise de conteúdo das entrevistas
realizadas, e extraídas informações acerca das estratégias cognitivas utilizadas por
adultos idosos sem alfabetização. As estratégias cognitivas comummente definidas
como eficazes são o recurso à conversação, à utilização do conhecimento básico dos
números e às vivências pessoais passadas como uma forma de resolver problemas do
quotidiano. Os adultos idosos analfabetos destacam o isolamento social como um dos
principais elementos que prejudicam o seu funcionamento cognitivo, tal não sendo
reconhecido pelos demais grupos, que destacam a iliteracia funcional associada à falta
de educação formal como o principal fator de risco para a deterioração cognitiva nesta
população.
Este estudo oferece informação relevante acerca dos limites dos recursos
atualmente disponíveis e da necessidade da sua adaptação para população sem
alfabetização, ao mesmo tempo que introduz uma abordagem participativa que é
particularmente útil na exploração destas temáticas com pouco suporte na literatura
científica.
Currently, there is an increasing number of studies being conducted in the field of the promotion of a successful ageing, and more and more tools are being identified to intervene and cognitively evaluate the elderly population. However, in most cases, the older adults who are illiterate end up being excluded from participation, as the researched strategies rely mostly in formal education contents. To better understand how to prevent cognitive deterioration in this population, it is required, on the one hand, to understand the cognitive differences that distinguish cognitive processes in literate and illiterate individuals, and on the other hand, to adapt and test screening tools and cognitive stimulation strategies that are feasible for use within this population. The main objective of this study is to contribute to deepen the knowledge on the cognitive functioning profile and the cognitive stimulation strategies of this group, as well as to inform further the development of cognitive stimulation tools to prevent cognitive decline in this population. To collect information about the cognitive functioning profile in the illiterate elderly population, a qualitative research method was developed, and through the use of the “participatory design” method, the data on 3 Focal Groups was collected: one group comprised of illiterate older adults (N=7), another group comprised of technical staff who work with illiterate older adults (N=7), and the last group comprised of family members/ relatives of illiterate older adults (N=6). The content of the interviews was analyzed, and a theme was extracted about the cognitive strategies employed by elderly illiterate individuals. The cognitive strategies that were commonly designated as effective tools for cognitive stimulation were using dialogue/conversation, the use of basic math knowledge, and the use of past personal experiences, as a method of approach to solving everyday problems. The older adults highlight social isolation as one of the main elements that harm their cognitive function, while the other groups do not acknowledge this, and instead highlight their functional illiteracy, that stems from their lack of education, as their main risk factor for the cognitive deterioration of illiterates This study offers relevant information about the limitations of the currently available resources and how much it is needed that they are adapted to the illiterate population, while, simultaneously, introducing an interactive approach that is particularly useful in the exploration of these subject fields that lack sufficient support in research literature.
Currently, there is an increasing number of studies being conducted in the field of the promotion of a successful ageing, and more and more tools are being identified to intervene and cognitively evaluate the elderly population. However, in most cases, the older adults who are illiterate end up being excluded from participation, as the researched strategies rely mostly in formal education contents. To better understand how to prevent cognitive deterioration in this population, it is required, on the one hand, to understand the cognitive differences that distinguish cognitive processes in literate and illiterate individuals, and on the other hand, to adapt and test screening tools and cognitive stimulation strategies that are feasible for use within this population. The main objective of this study is to contribute to deepen the knowledge on the cognitive functioning profile and the cognitive stimulation strategies of this group, as well as to inform further the development of cognitive stimulation tools to prevent cognitive decline in this population. To collect information about the cognitive functioning profile in the illiterate elderly population, a qualitative research method was developed, and through the use of the “participatory design” method, the data on 3 Focal Groups was collected: one group comprised of illiterate older adults (N=7), another group comprised of technical staff who work with illiterate older adults (N=7), and the last group comprised of family members/ relatives of illiterate older adults (N=6). The content of the interviews was analyzed, and a theme was extracted about the cognitive strategies employed by elderly illiterate individuals. The cognitive strategies that were commonly designated as effective tools for cognitive stimulation were using dialogue/conversation, the use of basic math knowledge, and the use of past personal experiences, as a method of approach to solving everyday problems. The older adults highlight social isolation as one of the main elements that harm their cognitive function, while the other groups do not acknowledge this, and instead highlight their functional illiteracy, that stems from their lack of education, as their main risk factor for the cognitive deterioration of illiterates This study offers relevant information about the limitations of the currently available resources and how much it is needed that they are adapted to the illiterate population, while, simultaneously, introducing an interactive approach that is particularly useful in the exploration of these subject fields that lack sufficient support in research literature.
Description
Keywords
Adultos Idosos Sem Alfabetização Demência Deterioro Cognitivo Envelhecimento Cognitivo Intervenção Prevenção