Calidad de vida del adulto mayor del cantón Tisaleo de la Provincia de Tungurahua

Abstract

The quality of life in the elderly is made up of objective and subjective factors, showing well-being in these is a challenge; Thus, the main objective of this research is to diagnose the quality of life of the elderly in the canton of Tisaleo in four fundamental aspects: material conditions, health, leisure and social relationships and general life experience. The methodology was of a mixed nature: Quali quantitative. Qualitative due to the creation of a qualitative assessment tool based on semistructured oral interviews due to the profile of the respondents, adapted to the community context and based on the quality of life indicators of the Ministry of Spain; and Quantitative because the responses from the oral interviews were coded into numerical segments for a quantitative measurement. Studies on the quality of life in the elderly allow to conclude that the material and economic conditions of this group are limited, with significant housing deficiencies; the health determinants were a negative self-assessment of their health status due to the occurrence of diseases, poor quality health care and limited access to medicines, as well as the influence of a diet lacking in quality and quantity. The existence of a good relationship with the informal networks of the elderly and a favorable recreation and use of free time is highlighted; however, satisfaction with their general life experience or subjective wellbeing is negative, despite the fact that most of them live with others, with feelings of loneliness and sadness standing out in a quarter of the population.