Care for older adults with disabilities in Long Term Care Facility

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the constitution of care offered to older adults with disabilities, from Long Term Care Facility professionals’ perspective. Methods: this is a discourse analysis based on the post-structuralist framework. Participants in this study are professionals involved in the care for older adults, totaling 14 respondents, 13 women and one man. Results: from professionals’ perspective, there is a fine line between caring for older adults with disabilities and maintaining their autonomy. Care in which autonomy is restricted predisposes older adults to a process of dependency. Final considerations: caring for older adults with disabilities constitutes the challenge between caring and maintaining independence. Thus, older adult-centered care should be taken as a premise so that their individualities are respected.