Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

In this paper I analyze the way in which Franco’s prison is presented in Isaac Rosa’s El vano ayer (2004), both as a space of political repression and as a stage for the History of Spain, carried out by police officers and detainees. Using concepts such as “place of memory”, “collective memory”, “memory in literature” and “literature as a means of cultural memory”, I will see how the convergence and divergence of “testimonies” of different characters compose a polyphonic novel that aims to highlight the brutality of the tortures practiced by the regime and contribute to the construction of an alternative historical memory.

Debate

Places of the future: recent critical approaches to Hispanic American science fiction

Objective: To know the social representations of high school students regarding the concepts of old, old and elderly and their future visualization of their old age. Method: Population 37 high school students, study with qualitative approach, Social Representations design, free listing technique, electronic questionnaire elaborated with Google forms, processual and prototypical analysis. Results: Female sex prevailed (57%), the age range was 16 years (60%), the school grade was second year (54%). The perception of the concepts was positive (35%). The future visualization of old age was positive (81%). The central nuclei of the SRs of the concepts were: old, family, wrinkles, great, experience, tender, wise, gray hair, and the visualization of old age were: happy, traveling, gray hair, cheerful, healthy, grandchildren and wrinkles. Conclusions: Concepts and visualization of old age possess positive RS, intergenerational coexistence and economic status have positive influence.

Technologies constitute a challenge for the elderly and middle-aged as they require the acquisition of new knowledge to stay socially included. Objective: To determine the intergenerational differences in access, uses, intensity, frequency and variety of uses of ICT, as well as the reasons for their use. The research was applied, quantitative, descriptive and correlational, cross-sectional. An intentional, non-probabilistic sample of 157 adults was formed, who attend basic and advanced computer courses, of non-formal education for older adults in Río Cuarto, Argentina. Middle age groups were considered (50 to 64 years) n = 54, early old age (65 to 74 years) n = 84; and advanced old age (75 to 85 years) n = 22. The data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and the analysis was performed with the SPSS software. The findings show that the uses of ICTs, as well as their accessibility and intensity of use, show slight quantitative variations. The differences in the reasons why each group uses ICT are relevant. Past digital practices or everyday life, in addition to the motivations of the subjects, explain the variety of uses, rather than the generational imprint.

Chronic pain (CP) is a significant problem in the elderlies, and its treatment is almost pharmacological based. Unfortunately, not always pharmacological treatments offer pain relief, so exists necessity of a non-pharmacological approach, cheapest and effective. In this scientific essay, an overview of CP in the elderly is presented, and how it can be treated by a non-pharmacological perspective which include the psychological approach. Psychological CP treatments include diaphragmatic respiration, muscle relaxation, emotional disclosure, guided imagery, and hypnosis. These techniques are often used in combination with others non-conventional therapies as herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, chiropractic, and massage; to complete the conventional medical approach or even instead of it. Gerontologist should know it all and consider that these therapies are widely accepted by most of the elderlies. This essay’s methodological contribution lies on that allow to address and inform about treatment options for a public health world-wide problem that, unfortunately, is growing.

The objective of this research is to identify the perception of non-institutionalized urban older adults in Tuxtla Gutiérrez (Chiapas) about the quality of life, which was carried out with the descriptive method, using the survey technique to 51 older adult to collect information from the FUMAT measuring physical, emotional and material well-being, inclusion, self-determination, rights, personal development and interpersonal relationships. This instrument allowed identifying the perception that older adults have regarding the concept of quality of life and, in a particular way, each of the scales. It concluded that in the perception of material well-being is negative for most people, without coincidence with the material conditions in which they were at the time of the application of the questionnaire. It is necessary to inquire more in the future.

This paper examines labor force participation and retirement of older adults in Mexico during the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting previous work characteristics. Workers in 2019 and retirees in 2020 are examined, using Heckman selection model; and data from the National Survey of Occupation and Employment of 2019 and 2020. Results indicate that men, younger cohorts, and residents in less urban localities are more likely to work in 2019. Of those workers in 2019, hose most likely to be retired in 2020 are: part-time workers and those in economic activities affected during the pandemic; social security and position in occupation were not statistically significant. In conclusion focused and differentiated actions are needed that contribute to the conservation of sources of labor income for the elderly during the prolonged pandemic.

The following document develops an ethnographic analysis of information collected from the biological, physical, and social areas related to older adults in the Costa Rican Blue Zone located in the Nicoya Peninsula, and includes the counties of Nicoya, Santa Cruz, Hojancha, Nandayure, and Carrillo. The data collection    is carried out through a semi-structured interview, which combines qualitative techniques of ethnography and basic quantitative information gathering about social support networks. Also, specific data on noise, relative humidity, temperature, luminosity and CO are collected from the localities in order to understand the physical context of the long-lived individuals and their support networks. Once the data are collected, an systematized, through which basic sub-dimensions are determined. These point out the route indicators that lead to identifying the dimensions of Senses and Imagination, Emotions, Affiliation, Life Health and Body Integrity, and Environment Control, which reveal the capabilities model of this longevity band.

Objective: To use technological tools for gerontological assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted. Thirty people over 60 years of age with a mobile device or computer, and internet connection were included.  Results: Strengths and limitations of technological tools were identified, as well as the most used means of communication by the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and results were obtained on the geronto-geriatric assessment scales that evaluated affective state, cognitive state, family functionality and mistreatment. Conclusions: Technological tools are useful for social research, but present limitations for the search of qualitative and quantitative data in elderly people, however, this modality should be considered for the timely identification of various alterations in the functional, cognitive, affective, nutritional and environmental status.