WORK SKILLS OF FORMAL CAREGIVERS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF SENIORS IN GERIATRIC CARE INSTITUTIONS

Objectives. The aim of this study was to describe some experiences of formal caregivers in geriatric care institutions in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, particularly those feelings regarding satisfaction and care interactions with the elderly. Materials and methods. This study is based on the preliminary results obtained from qualitative methods, which primarily focused on the analysis of speeches from a set of twelve interviews conducted with a sample of formal caregivers who are working within geriatric care institutions for more than 8 hours in their shift. For the analysis of the data, Atlas.ti version 9 was used. Results. In the code “Feeling regarding the satisfaction of caregivers”, the participants expressed that despite doing a very demanding job and having working conditions such as low salaries, a lack of work material, and the stress of the caregiver, their greatest reward is helping the seniors. According to the code “Interaction in Care with the Elderly”, the caregivers expressed that the gratitude on the part of the elderly and practicing empathy, love, and positive communication produce a state of emotional well-being, motivation, and perseverance within the institution. Conclusions. The effort and responsibility of formal caregivers within geriatric care institutions allow the caregiver to be humanized since it contacts him with satisfaction and strengthens his self-esteem and professional development by making him feel useful and productive within his work, where he seeks to promote the quality of life of vulnerable seniors.