Perception of the elderly about the process of swallowing in aging

Abstract

The aging process is accompanied by demands and adaptations of the body to improve the quality of life, including the maintenance of the individual’s diet. Eating difficulties can be minimized in the face of health promotion actions linked to popular knowledge. The objective to know the perception of the elderly about swallowing in the aging process and to verify the presence of myths and truths that pervade this topic. Qualitative research of the type of participatory action research, articulated with the Research Itinerary of Paulo Freire. It was carried out in four Culture Circles, with eight elderly participants, between the months of October and December 2018, and the stages of thematic research, coding and decoding were carried out simultaneously with the critical unveiling, such as the methodology Freireana foresees the analytical process. The thematic investigation revealed 32 generating themes that culminated in three significant themes, namely: (a) Myths and truths related to choking, (b) Understanding and perception of swallowing difficulties, and (c). Swallowing Care, Discussed Across Cultural Circles. The elders participated actively, speaking about their beliefs regarding swallowing and the factors that can lead to choking, as well as the methods used by them to unblock themselves. It was possible to notice that the elderly has beliefs that were transmitted to them culturally and that they use them in a natural and adaptive way to compensate for their difficulties. The participants demonstrated understanding of the intrinsic aspects that influence the act of swallowing, as well as the importance of a coordinated and conscious action, so that the consequences derived from presbyophagia do not develop over time.