Social representation of elderly people on falls: structural analysis and in the light of Neuman.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the symbolic elements and the hierarchical system of representations of elderly people on falls, according to Abric's structural analysis and Neuman's theory.

METHOD: Abric structural approach developed at the home of primary care users in a city of Minas Gerais. A free evocation technique of images triggered by images was performed in 2016 with elderly individuals (≥65 years old). Data treated by dictionary of equivalent terms; processed in Evoc 2000 software converging, analytically, according to Neuman. Ethical/legal criteria were met.

RESULTS

195 people participated, 78.5% were women, and 45.1% were aged ≥75 years. Summarized 897 words; 155 different ones. Central nucleus containing cognates: dizziness-vertigo-labyrinthitis and slipper-shoes (behavioral and objective dimension). The word disease integrated the area of contrast. Environmental and personal stressors were identified according to Neuman. Final considerations: Objects and risk behaviors for falls integrated the representations, although environmental and personal stressors indicate the need for preventive interventions in the environment and in the intrapersonal dimension.