“Vidas que Cuentan” Reconstrucción narrativa y visual de la identidad en personas mayores

Abstract

 

Background: Population ageing is one of the major challenges facing contemporary societies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2050, more than 2 billion people will be over the age of 60. However, this demographic shift has not been accompanied by a meaningful transformation in the social relevance and visibility of older adults. Objective: To reframe and give new meaning to the identities and life trajectories of older adults attending a day care centre by granting them visible and legitimate space in the community. Methods: A photographic exhibition accompanied by micro-narratives will be developed to re-signify the lives of the participants. The study follows a qualitative, exploratory design with a narrative and ethnographic approach. Open-ended interviews will be transcribed and thematically coded. The resulting materials will be compiled into a narrative-visual archive, validated by each participant, and finally presented in a public exhibition. Results: Expected outcomes include contributing to a shift in the social discourse surrounding ageing, as well as repositioning the day care centre from a closed institutional space to an active community agent. On an individual level, the intervention is expected to foster self-esteem and personal recognition. Conclusions: The study aims to underscore the importance of giving visibility to older adults within society and integrating care centres into the broader community as spaces that promote social empathy.