title: [Meanings of falling ill: what the main caretakers of elderly patients with cancer think].
abstract: The goal of the study was to understand the social representations of the main caretakers about the process of a acquiring cancer and to relate them with her therapeutic choices when caring for an elderly bearer of this pathology at his home. Four main caretakers of elderly cancer patients participated in the study. Data collection occurred from March to November, 2005, using semi-structured interviews and participative observation. The data analysis was accomplished through the method of thematic analysis. The explanations for the disease found by the caretakers were opposite to the medical explanations, because theytryto identify the mechanisms that led the elderly patients to acquire the disease in their lifestyle. The therapeutic practices at home are eminently cultural, considering socially-built beliefs and values. The need of recognizing the socio-cultural dimension of healthcare within the formal healthcare service was emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem na Universidade do Centro-Oeste do Parańa, Guarapuava, PR, Brasil. crisump@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Maria Cristina Umpierrez
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Sonia Silva
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Marcon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology