title: The family in face of the elderly's reality of living alone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to understand the family dynamics in face of the reality of the elderly living alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  study of qualitative approach with theoretical reference of symbolic interactionism that involved interviews with families. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  six families participated in the study. The discourse analysis originated the following categories: The family respecting their decision making; The family organizing itself to the process of living alone after the age of 80 years; The family experiencing the freedom of living alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  in this study, it was possible to identify the facilitation of the possibility of living alone with preparation and agreements between the family during the family life cycle, leading to the feeling of freedom and quality of life of all members. Nursing, as a science responsible for elaborating care strategies, should work together with families to assist in the planning of care plans based on the individual social reality of the family.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Nursing, Paulista Nursing School, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Geovane
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Perseguino
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Nursing, Paulista Nursing School, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Lucia de Moraes
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Horta
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nursing, Paulista Nursing School, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Circéa Amalia
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005610:Freedom; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*