FOOD MEMORIES AMONG HOSPITALIZED ELDERLY PEOPLE

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the food memories of elderly people who were hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: Qualitative study, conducted in a public hospital in Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil, with fourteen elderly people who were hospitalized in intensive care units between January 2013 and May 2015. The following criteria were adopted: to be elderly, to have stayed in the ICU for more than 72 hours, to have been fed orally and have cognitive conditions to participate according to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). For the elderly without years of schooling, those with a score higher than 18 were considered suitable, and a score of 26 for those with more than eight years of schooling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Alceste statistical software. In all cases, information on the research protocol was provided and free, prior and informed consent was requested. Results: The lexical class Food Memories of the Elderly was identified, revealing the eating habits of the elderly, the preferred food, food preparation; the prohibitions caused by chronic illness and food in the hospital. Conclusion: Food has an important meaning in the lives of these elderly people. Eating represents a pleasure related to their memories and cultural identities.