Abstract

BRITO, Jeisiane Lima; MAGALHAES, Celina Maria Colino  and  KHOURY, Hilma Tereza Tôrres. Developmental niche: environment, beliefs and practices of formal caretakers. Arq. bras. psicol. [online]. 2018, vol.70, n.1, pp.54-68. ISSN 1809-5267.

The objective of this research was to apply the concept of Niche to the study of development in old age focusing on care in Long Stay Institutions for the Elderly (ILPI). This is a descriptive research carried out in a Philanthropic ILPI, with five caregivers, through observation of care practices, as well as questionnaires and scales to evaluate the environment, beliefs and knowledge about the elderly. Results: caregivers with mean age of 48.2 years; low education level; inadequate care practices; low level of knowledge; negative view on autonomy and independence; precarious environment, physically and socially, with little interaction between the elderly and the bathroom as the worst evaluated. The data demonstrate the interrelationship between the subsystems, allowing to conclude that the subsystems of the concept of Developmental Niche can be used to discuss the developmental possibilities in the old age and in the context of ILPI. An extension of the study is suggested.

Keywords : Niche development; Elderly; Long term care institution.

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