A economia do cuidado da pessoa idosa: configuração do trabalho dos cuidadores familiares acompanhados pela Humaniza Home para corresponsabilização e apoio interinstitucional

Abstract

This descriptive study addresses the economics of elderly care in the private sector in light of population aging, implementation of the national care policy, and the ideology of family caregivers supported by Humaniza Home, a company that offers training for caregivers and assistance services, care, and infrastructure for elderly people and their homes. The research assessed opinions, ideas, attitudes, and the social and economic configuration of family caregivers who seek support services from the private company to understand the social configuration of these families with the aim of seeking coaccountability and inter-institutional support. This is a study with a quantitative approach by collecting data (Survey) through a structured questionnaire with 20 questions, applied online from July 20 to 30, 2024. The questionnaire was answered by a sample of 13 participants (31%), out of a total of 42 family members who contracted the service from January 5, 2020 to June 30, 2024. The main results indicate that 65% of elderly people are assisted by daughters. Only 15.4% of the caregiver who is the main responsible person is male, 84.6% are female. The age of caregivers varies between 30 and 79 years old. 89.2% state that the family income is not enough to cover the costs of the necessary care for the elderly person and this sustainability is a constant concern for 61.5% of the interviewees. 38.5% feel constantly overwhelmed and 46.2% almost always feel overwhelmed with the work of caring. 38.5% rarely share the responsibility of caring with other family members and 38.5% have no one to share this responsibility with. 38.5% of caregivers believe they are not valued for their care work. The main difficulties reported by caregivers responsible for caring for elderly people were the feeling of constant fatigue, little help from the state and difficulty in accessing health services. They highlighted the need for a fair division of care work, to ensure leave and flexibility at work for those caring for a loved one with a terminal illness with no possibility of a cure and the importance of reducing taxes related to care for bedridden elderly people. The study showed the importance of increasing safety in care with courses and guidance on preventing risks and complications.