Abstract

MATOS, Margarida Gaspar de et al. Personal and social competencies promotion with the ederly: a community intervention program. Rev. bras.ter. cogn. [online]. 2005, vol.1, n.2, pp. 95-102. ISSN 1808-5687.

The present article describes a Program aiming at promoting social and individual competences (Matos, 1998; 2005) carried out in the community with a group of elderly. The program aims at promoting healthy life styles through the development of social skills. The contents included were interpersonal communication, problem identification and solving, emotions identification and management and self-assertion. 33 elderly aged between 58 and 86 years old, participated, mostly women. The weekly sessions were carried out using role-playing activities and focus groups. Evaluation showed improvements in personal concerns and counselling needs, in the perception of wellness and in skills to manage feelings. *The results showed advantages in the implementation of the program in health promotion with the elderly, as well as a greater autonomy towards social services.

Keywords : Elderly; Health; Social competence.