The Relationship Between Autonomy and Dependence: Dialectic of Institutionalization of the Elderly in the Brazilian Context

This article deals with the accelerated ageing of the Brazilian population, which according to the IBGE is projected to account for 25.5% of the total population by 2060. Analyzing the context of long-term care institutions, the article highlights how these spaces, although structured to meet the basic needs of the elderly, often fail to provide complete well-being and social integration. In many cases, institutionalization leads to a loss of individuality and social isolation, creating a disconnection between the elderly and the rest of society, contrary to the idea of social inclusion. The research was carried out in two stages, the first being a bibliographic survey, in the databases Biblioteca Científica Eletronica (Scielo), Literatura Latino América do Caribe e em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) and Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (PubMed), statistical data and in order to reinforce the evidence found in published research, there was a second stage of cross-sectional research carried out in a fictitious institution called “Alfa” in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. The data obtained shows that, despite advances in longevity and medicine, institutionalization limits the future life projection of the elderly. The article also discusses the dialectical social relationships present in these environments and emphasizes the need to create living spaces that allow meaningful interactions between the elderly, institutions and the community, promoting more effective inclusion.