MANNA, R. E. O imaginário coletivo de cuidadores de idosos na saúde pública: um estudo psicanalítico [The collective imaginary of caretakers of the elderly in public health: a psychoanalytic study]. Master’s Dissertation – Instituto de Psicologia da USP. São Paulo (SP), 2013.
Available on: http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/47/47133/tde-15082013-103617/en.php
The training of caretakers for the elderly in public health must be considered, nowadays, a matter of great importance, in a country in which a considerable part of the population does not have the means to handle expenses that come with aging. This training must include not only specific knowledge on physical care, but also psychological preparation which allows for the creation of a bond strong and healthy enough between caretaker and elderly citizen. In such a context, this investigation aims to study empirically the collective imaginary of professional public health caretakers of the elderly regarding older citizens. Conceived and executed using the psychoanalytic method, in all its steps, this research was organized based on an interview with the caretakers, during which the Thematic Drawing-and-Story Procedure was used a facilitating resource for emotional communication, in discussing experiences lived, in the institutional daily happenings, in formal and informal situations, together with the elderly, caretakers and the staff, which is constituted by professionals from several backgrounds. The resulting material allowed for the creation of two transferential narratives, from which six affective-emotional or relative unconscious, fields could be created/derived: care-taking ennobles the soul, take care around that old man/woman!, but I’m trustworthy!, losing autonomy, crippling relationships and will to live(?). The condition of frail elderly citizens impacts emotionally and caretakers are sensitive to the delicate aspects that connect the relationship dimension inherent to taking care of an older person. The six fields created/found indicate, in a sufficiently precise manner, which are the main psychological issues in the training process of caretakers for the elderly: presenting them the dramatic life of a frail elderly citizen and preparing them to deal with the delicate interactions this singular kind of intimacy will certainly bring.