Abstract
The process of human aging has been considered an interesting study subject since the 6th century BC, when ancient philosophers used a periodical system to describe life. However, there are few studies on elderly living in nursing homes. This research aimed to investigate how elders living in a nursing home in Assis/SP (Brazil) feel about themselves and about the place they live. We have also tried to find potential relationships between those portrayals and the institutionalization process. To do so, 21 elderly were interviewed (13 men and eight women). When the interviews were analyzed, we came up to the conclusion that the elderly living in nursing homes have a heterogeneous perception of themselves and of the institution. Although aware of the institutionalization process they are subjected to, few of them were able to describe it clearly, stating the positive and negative aspects. In general, they used short assertions or comparisons against the life they used to live before being admitted to the nursing home, in a way to point out the differences they felt.
aging; aged; self concept; social perception; institutionalization; homes for the aged; Assis/SP