"O velho e o moço...": Olhares sobre o trabalho de cuidadores domiciliares de idosos

Abstract

The main objective of this article is understand the reality of the work of home caregivers in a city in the interior of Minas Gerais from five analytical dimensions (physical, cognitive, emotional, relational and sexual). The relevance of this study lies in the understanding of an activity that, although loaded with precariousness and inequalities, has been sparingly studied in the Brazilian academy. For the purpose of this study, of essentially qualitative nature, 10 semi-structured interviews with home caregivers of the elderly were carried out. The interviews were analyzed using the technique of french discourse analysis. It was observed that this activity has a strong physical character and presents itself as having a repetitive and precarious nature. In addition, it requires, from its executor, several emotional mobilizations in order to build a relationship of trust between patient and caregiver. It also demands a certain strategy of naturalization in dealing with the excrement or sexual parts of the elderly, and it requires previous learning (formal or informal) for its full exercise.