Personas mayores institucionalizadas y procesos de significación sobre la institucionalización

In Brazil, in the absence of family and effective public policies, elderly people often move to Assisted Living Facilities (ALF), requiring intra and interpersonal resources for this transition. This study investigates the meanings of institutionalization for elderly ALF residents and examines the transition process and its adjustments. Autobiographical accounts from 10 participants were analyzed, with a phenomenological approach identifying both individual experiences and shared aspects of institutionalization. The findings reveal that reasons for institutionalization are tied to the need for companionship and a shift in the perception of ALFs—from places associated with abandonment to safe and protected environments. This research contributes to a broader understanding of the challenges and significance of institutionalization in later life stages, encouraging reflection on the topic and its implications for elderly care in Brazil.