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Revista de la Universidad Industrial de Santander. Salud
Print version ISSN 0121-0807On-line version ISSN 2145-8464
Abstract
ROLDAN-RAMIREZ, Elvia Lucía; DIAZ-SANCHEZ, Ruth and VARGAS, Camilo Andrés. Formal and informal social support networks for poverty reduction of the elderly and their family. Rev. Univ. Ind. Santander. Salud [online]. 2023, vol.55, e28. Epub Nov 26, 2023. ISSN 0121-0807. https://doi.org/10.18273/saluduis.55.e:23004.
Introduction:
The increase in life expectancy has become a reality, a problem, and a challenge for developing countries such as Colombia, marked by social determinants in which the elderly population is largely affected.
Objective:
Describe the perception of older adults and their families regarding formal and informal social support networks that contribute to poverty reduction.
Materials and methods:
A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted. Twenty-two older adults, three men and 19 women, between 60 and 89 years old; two caregivers, and an administrative employee at the institution in Neiva (Huila) participated.
Results:
The findings were framed under four categories established after a theoretical review: perception of aging, structure of social support networks, family dynamics, and perception of social support networks. Three categories emerged during the study: Poverty beyond the economic concept, between the spiritual and emotional as a support network, and the resignification of work in the elderly as an option.
Conclusions:
Older adults perceive formal and informal social support networks as something necessary for their physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. In addition, they identify the resignification of work as a life option based on their instrumental capabilities, along with spirituality, which is strengthened throughout their lives and within their families.
Keywords : Perceptions; Social support networks; Elderly; Poverty; Family.