Geriatric care: ways and means of providing comfort

Abstract

Objective: To know the ways and means of comfort perceived by the older adults hospitalized in a medical service. Method: Ethnographic study with a qualitative approach. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 22 older adults and participant observation of care situations. Results: The ways and means of providing comfort are centered on strategies for promoting care mobilized by nurses and recognized by patients(clarifying/informing, positive interaction/communication, music therapy, touch, smile, unconditional presence, empathy/proximity relationship, integrating the older adult or the family as partner in the care, relief of discomfort through massage/mobilization/therapy) and on particular moments of comfort (the fi rst contact, the moment of personal hygiene, and the visit of the family), which constitute the foundation of care/comfort. Final considerations: Geriatric care is built on the relationship that is established and complete with meaning, and is based on the meeting/interaction between the actors under the infl uence of the context in which they are inserted. The different ways and means of providing comfort aim to facilitate/increase care, relieve discomfort and/or invest in potential comfort. Descriptors: Geriatric Nursing; Aged; Hospitalization; Delivery of Health Care; Hospice Care. RESUMO Objetivo: Conhecer os modos e formas de confortar percecionadas pelos idosos hospitalizados num serviço de medicina. Método: Estudo etnográfi co com abordagem qualitativa. Realizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas com 22 doentes idosos e observação participante nas situações de cuidados. Resultados: Os modos e formas de confortar centram-se em estratégias promotoras de conforto mobilizadas pelo enfermeiro e reconhecidas pelos doentes (informação/esclarecimento, interação/comunicação positiva, toque, sorriso, presença incondicional, integração do idoso/família nos cuidados e o alívio de desconfortos através da massagem/mobilização/terapêutica) e em momentos particulares de conforto (contato inaugural, visita da família., cuidados de higiene e arranjo pessoal), que se constituem como alicerces do cuidar/cuidado confortador. Considerações fi nais: O cuidado geriátrico edifi ca-se na relação que se desenvolve, atribuída de sentido, e assenta-se num encontro/interação entre os atores sob infl uência do contexto em que está inserido. Os diferentes modos e formas de confortar objetivam facilitar/aumentar o conforto, aliviar o desconforto e/ou investir no conforto potencial. Descritores: Enfermagem Geriátrica; Idoso; Hospitalização; Cuidados; Promoção do Conforto. RESUMENObjetivo: Conocer los modos y las formas de confortar percibidas por adultos mayores hospitalizados en un centro hospitalario. Método: Se trata de un estudio etnográfi co de abordaje cualitativo. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas entre 22 mayores enfermos con observación participante en las situaciones de cuidados. Resultados: Las maneras y formas de consolar se concentran en estrategias promotoras de conforto movilizadas por el ...

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