Gerontological education from the experience of the gerontologist: a reference for elderly care policies in Latin America

Abstract

Orduna and Naval (2001) point out that gerontological education consists of teaching gerontological aspects, that is, everything related to the process, mechanism, types, and teaching strategies of multiple gerontological issues; for this reason, this article aims to show the gerontological education experience for the care of the elderly in Latin America from the gerontologist experience as a reference for the development of care policies for this population group; It is the product of one of the dimensions of my doctoral thesis, for this, I assumed the interpretive paradigm with a qualitative approach and grounded theory method of Strauss and Corbin (2002). I used information gathering techniques and qualitative analysis and as an instrument the interview guide. The informants were 06 gerontologists graduated from universities with Gerontology degrees linked to the Pan American Network of Gerontology Programs or Careers in Latin America (PANAMGERO Network). The research line is the Psychosocial Dynamics and subline gerontological education of the UNEFM. As a product, the Theory of "The education of the elderly from the multidimensional geogogical vision" emerges, showing the actions of the gerontologist. The promotion of this theory in public policies is recommended, creating a culture of old age and aging in educational, family, social and community settings in favor of a collective awareness of education with older adults actively in Latin America.