CALAZANS, Ana Paula Rodrigues; GONÇALVES, Darcy F.
Abstract:
This work constitutes a bibliographic research that aims to examine the Gestalt
Therapy approach to the aging process, as well as the understanding of grief as
an essential component of the existential journey. The trajectory of human
development is delineated through experiences perceived as phases of
existence, which accompany the maturation process triggered by natural
changes, gradually leading to old age. This study offers a reflection on the
challenges faced in the face of losses, not only in situations of death but also in
relation to the physiological limitations that manifest over time. These are
addressed with the intention of both encouraging the elderly to regain their
quality of life and contributing to a broader understanding of aging, providing
theoretical and practical support for healthcare professionals who work directly
with the elderly. The analyses lead to the search for a new sense of existence
through the revitalization of historical and cultural values that can confer
meaning and promote mental health, thus preventing greater wear and tear in
the face of the reality of human finitude and mitigating the suffering associated
with grief in old age.
