Relationship between institutionalization and mental health for elderly people: an integrative review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the association between institutionalization and mental health of the elderly. METHODS: Integrative review, with search of articles published between 2014 and 2018, in the portuguese, english and spanish languages, in the databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, SCIELO, IBECS and BDENF. We initially found 25,284 publications and after analysis and application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in a final sample of 32 articles. RESULTS: It was identified that the fragility of the family bond, functional decline and loss of autonomy and independence are factors that influence the life of the elderly person and a strategy that can be used by the team is the establishment of an individualized care plan. The findings also pointed out the need to analyze the impacts of aging on mental health and to know the quality of life of the institutionalized elderly person. CONCLUSION: Considering health as scope, the imbalance of the biopsychosocial aspects can result in the sickness of mental health. Interventions by the health team such as encouraging physical activity, encouraging spirituality and leisure activities can have a positive impact on the quality of life and well-being of of the elderly.