[Knowledge and expectations among older adults of social services for the elderly in the Autonomous Region of Galicia (Spain)].
BACKGROUND
Information and knowledge among the elderly on social services can contribute both to their access to these services, as well as to the elimination of myths and negative stereotypes pertaining to these services and their users. The aim of this study was to analyze knowledge of the social services available to the elderly among older adults in the Autonomous Region of Galicia, as well as to identify their expectations of future use and the characteristics that they consider suitable to improve their quality of life and obtain the most appropriate care.


METHODS
The items in the Social Services section of the "Needs and Requests of Users and Non-Users of Social Services for the Elderly Questionnaire" were analyzed and applied to a sample of 1,101 participants aged 60 years and older in the Autonomous Region of Galicia.


RESULTS
Knowledge of the available social services was generally limited among elderly individuals in Galicia. The best-known services were traditional services, such as nursing homes, and the main sources from which the elderly received information were family, friends and the media. Knowledge was mainly influenced by specific variables such as age, educational level, and habitat.


CONCLUSIONS
Information on social services to the elderly should be disseminated, especially among older adults with lower levels of education and those living in rural areas.
Iglesias-Souto
Patricia M
PM
Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain. patriciamaria.iglesias@usc.es
Taboada Ares
Eva M
EM
Dosil Maceira
Agustín
A
Cuba López
José F
JF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012947:Social Work / Q000592:standards*; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires