As possibilidades de ação da terapia ocupacional em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência para idosos e suas reverberações formativas: um relato de experiência

Abstract

Introduction: Based on empirical data, population aging is a growing process and, beyond being a stage of life, it has become a relevant social issue that reveals a society that is socially, economically, and politically unprepared to support and guarantee the rights of older adults. In this context, Long-Term Care Institutions for Older Adults (LTCIs) play an important social role by providing shelter and care for the elderly population. However, for these institutions to effectively promote comprehensive care, a multidisciplinary team of professionals capable of addressing the intrinsic issues and specific needs of this population is required. Among these professionals, the occupational therapist stands out. Objective: This study aimed to report the experience of an occupational therapy student during an internship at an LTCI in a municipality in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and to understand the possibilities of occupational therapy practice as a technical and scientific field of knowledge. Methodology: The methodological approach was based on an experience report derived from the observation of occupational therapy practice, as well as from institutional records and written notes produced by the intern over a four-month period. Results: The occupational therapy actions and their main objectives were described, establishing four analytical domains to technically systematize such practices: relationship, articulation, mediation, and professional training. Conclusion: It is concluded that the relational domain constitutes the foundation of all occupational therapy actions developed within the LTCI, demonstrating that the bonds established among the occupational therapist, older adults, staff, family members, and the community are essential for expanding support networks and positively transforming daily institutional life. Articulation, mediation, and professional training are also essential components for the development of new theoretical and methodological frameworks in occupational therapy as a field of knowledge. The practices carried out in the LTCI revealed the difficulty of technically describing occupational therapy actions, given that occupational therapy encompasses a wide range of possibilities and objectives. Finally, it is reaffirmed that aging is a universal process among living beings but is experienced in singular ways and trajectories. Therefore, promoting and ensuring healthy and dignified aging also requires a strong commitment to the education and training of future professionals.