Percepções sobre um projeto de inclusão digital de pessoas idosas: um estudo de caso em uma instituição de longa permanência

Abstract

This study aims to explore the understanding of how technology is used in the lives of elderly people residing in long-term care institutions. The research adopts a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, through the case study methodology. The participants are collaborators and elderly individuals aged 60 years or older, who are institutionalized and part of the digital inclusion project at the Long-Term Institution (ILPI), in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The relevance of this research is highlighted by the global context shaped by the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2, known as the novel Coronavirus, triggered COVID-19, a highly risky infectious respiratory disease, as designated by the WHO. The pandemic had a profound impact worldwide, affecting people in various nations. The elderly proved to be particularly vulnerable to the virus. The initial response to the pandemic was marked by uncertainty due to the lack of effective treatments. The WHO recommended social distancing measures to contain the spread of the virus and relieve pressure on global health systems. Many countries imposed compulsory isolation, especially for higher-risk groups such as the elderly, suspending non-essential activities and restricting movement. This resulted in significant distancing and isolation challenges, deeply impacting people's lives. Strategies were directed to reduce this isolation, and technology played a crucial role. The adaptation of the elderly to the use of digital technologies represented an abrupt transition, requiring additional effort to familiarize themselves with these tools, aiming to preserve their safety, independence, and socialization. In this context, this study investigates digital inclusion as an essential tool in the lives of the elderly in long-term care institutions. The research contributes to the understanding of the growing importance of digital inclusion in today's society, not only promoting socialization but also being a valuable tool to face challenges, such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to deal with potential future difficulties. Therefore, it represents a significant step in understanding the needs and potential benefits of digital inclusion for the elderly in long-term care contexts.