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Resilience and vulnerability in ecological systems: Aging and public policies

ABSTRACT:

The aging of the Brazilian population questions the role of health services and public policies, especially the care of dependent elderly and their families. We conducted a family case study investigating risk and protective factors in ecological systems (meso-, exo- and macrosystem) present in a physically dependent elderly, through semi-structured interview, the Structured Family Interview, Perceived Family Support Inventory, naturalistic observation, documentary research and a genogram. We identified various risk factors - as lack of social support and ageism - and protective factors - as home care provided by a health team, as well as legislation consistent with population changes. The importance of these indicators for the process of family resilience is stressed.

Keywords
old age; resilience; public policies

Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de Brasília Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900 - Brasília - DF - Brazil, Tel./Fax: (061) 274-6455 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
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