Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TRANSITION TO RETIREMENT: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

2016; Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Programa de Pós Graduação em Enfermagem; Volume: 25; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1590/0104-070720160002260015

1980-265X

Helena Loureiro, Aída Maria de Oliveira Cruz Mendes, Ana Paula Forte Camarneiro, Margarida Silva, Susana Pedreiro,

Aging and Gerontology Research

Retirement is a transitional life event that originates changes individuals have to adapt to and which leads to bio physiological, psychological and sociological vulnerabilities. The aim of this study was to understand how Portuguese retirees perceive their retirement experience. We conducted a qualitative study with 18 focus groups (146 participants recently retired), in health functional units located throughout the center region of mainland Portugal. Information was submitted to content analysis, using NVivo10(r). Findings reveal that retirement interferes not only in the individuals' experiences but also affects their families' experiences. It leads to simultaneously perceptions of gains and losses and to the relearning and re-adaptation of life. We conclude that retirement is a transition phase of human development that can require an individual and family nursing intervention, which can help to promote a successful ageing process.