This paper aimed to identify and stimulate social support sources in elderly having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Guided by a qualitative analysis and with interventionist character, it was realized through four workshops which were recorded and later transformed into corpus of speeches submitted to thematic categorical content analysis. The sample was composed by seven elderly (six men and one woman), with mean age of 70 years. The most recurrent themes were: complaints arising from the limitations imposed by the disease, isolation and functional dependency and encouraging sources of social support. Although family and doctors have been identified as the main support sources, difficulties established by the illness and the feeling of incapacity complicated the relation with the family and/or caregivers, as well as for the establishment of new social nets. The workshops provided exchange of experiences among the participants, developing bonds and promoting social support.
Aged; chronic illness; support groups
