Adultos mayores que viven solos y con enfermedades crónicas de alta prevalencia : experiencia de vida de 4 adultos mayores del sector Vergeles del cantón Guayaquil y del sector Primavera del cantón Shushufindi.

Abstract

The general objective of this study is "Analyze the life experiences of four older adults who live alone and suffer from high-prevalence chronic diseases, who live in the Guayaquil canton and Shushufindi canton", makes this problem visible in Ecuador. Among the reasons why older adults live alone are: family disintegration, divorce, lack of family interest, lack of values, roles and vitality, weak family ties, inactive people and illnesses aggravate their problems. The justification highlighted the importance of the topic in the theoretical, technical and methodological part of the professional intervention with older adults in conditions of double vulnerability. The investigative work was developed based on the background of several previous investigations, both national and international, and the contributions of Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory. In the methodology, the qualitative approach was considered, it had a descriptive and analytical scope, the sample was at convenience and carried out with four older adults, between 70 - 80 years of age. For the collection of information, the in-depth interview technique was used, applying instruments such as a genogram, life lines and the home observation sheet. Among the results, it was obtained that the target group analyzed feel: alone, abandoned by their children and relatives, they miss the moments lived with the family. Regarding chronic diseases, his concern is to continue with medical treatment to continue living. In the discussion, the results were compared with theories of several authors. In the conclusions, the self-perception of the older adult who lives alone in the face of the disease they suffer from is relevant, which is synthesized in the feeling mostly expressed by them, that is, as a human being they ceased to be useful to society, by speaking their emotions reveal the loneliness and sadness they experience daily; however, community support networks play an important role in the lives of participating older adults.