[Perception of quality of life and the use of social welfare resources for the elderly in non-institutionalized elders].
OBJECTIVE
To determine quality of life and resource use by a group of elderly people as a starting point for the subsequent design and implementation of a health education program in the autonomous region of Galicia (Spain).


METHODS
This study was carried out in 407 non-institutionalized elderly persons attending 17 walk-in primary care health centers in the south of Galicia. A descriptive-interpretative approach was used and the results were obtained from the SF-12 quality of life scale and an ad hoc questionnaire.


RESULTS
Factors related to a more favorable perception of quality of life were younger age, being married, having a comfortable socioeconomic position and educational level, male sex, and not having serious diseases. The group studied used some of the nearby social and health resources available in the community, such as the health center, pharmacy office, and the church, more frequently than others.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained are useful to approach the design and development of a health education program for the elderly, based on the following evidence: most participants had a positive view of their quality of life that decreased with age; the intensity and continuity of health resource use differed in this group and access to these resources diminished in rural areas.
Ricoy Lorenzo
M Carmen
MC
Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Vigo, Ourense, Spain. cricoy@uvigo.es
Pino Juste
Margarita R
MR
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012946:Social Welfare; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires