We understand that the daily food within an institution for the aged can be studied using the theoretical studies of Goffman and Foucault. The first author helps us with the details concerning structure, nature and dynamics of these spaces, while the latter articulates the leading disciplinary issues involved in this context. We performed a qualitative study of elderly residents in two institutions located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was observed that older people are inhuman, settled with the survival of the biological body, and the institutional rules prevent any kind of flexibility. The daily life of these people is deprived of life. They are really waiting for "death to come." Food ends up being merely a maintainer of this impasse, full resignation and expiation. We need a profound reflection on the important role food can play as a way to redeem the minds of these elderly on the space they live in.
Food; Institution for the aged; Power