Caminhos da envelhescência: o lazer da terceira idade no município de arraias antes e durante a pandemia do covid-19

Abstract

Leisure is a great incentive to improve the life quality of for individuals, especially for the elderly. Thus, it is of great importance to understand the leisure of the elderly, as well as its specificities, benefits, importance and urgency. The present study has as general objective to analyze the leisure of the elderly in the city of Arraias - Tocantins, with the specific objective of identifying and analyzing what changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve these objectives, the adopted methodology was based on research of a basic nature, with a qualitative and quantitative approach to the problem, characterized as exploratory in terms of objectives, bibliographic and survey research was also used as methodological procedures. The analysis of the results showed that the leisure situation for the elderly in the municipality of Arraias before the pandemic was not good. There are no adequate structures with accessibility, there is a lack of activities and specialized professionals. This scenario only got worse with the pandemic that took away access to the little leisure they practiced. The lack of family walks and meeting friends only increased the loneliness they feel and also brought to light the urgent need for change during and after the pandemic.