Social interventions of occupational therapy with elderly people in south america: a not systematic literature review

Abstract

Occupational Therapy in the area of Gerontology still focuses on the more traditional approaches of health-disease processes. However, there is a need to address aging as a collective issue and a social phenomenon. The study of this article aims to reflect on occupational therapy and the sociocultural issues that involve aging in South America through experiences published in its context. The references were located through an unsystematic review in the journals of the occupational therapy area of Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Colombia, specifically those located in the Lilacs and Scielo databases, and by appointment of occupational therapists contacted in those countries that work in this area. Experiences in occupational therapy related to territoriality and aging, the use of free time and the cultural enjoyment of the elderly, and the Unified Social Assistance System—a Brazilian national policy—were found and discussed. The experiences hereby gathered and discussed are diverse and portrayed inclusive, comprehensive and coherent actions with the age and social structure in these countries. The relevance of the development of research and of practical actions directed to the social field to the approach of the aging in the region is worthy of note.