title: [HEALTH, WELLBEING AND CONVIVIALITY OF THE ELDERLY. THE PORTUGUESE, SPANISH AND EUROPEAN SITUATION].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the specificities of aging in Portugal and Spain, in contrast to the reality of nineteen countries of the European Union.
  
  
  METHODS
  The senior condition is characterized in different dimensions: health status, the level of wellbeing, conviviality and sense of loneliness. For that we have analyzed the results of the European Social Survey, round 5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Portugal, compared to Spain, it has been identified in the elderly population: greater financial difficulties, poorer perceived health status and wellbeing but, simultaneously, less limitation in performing activities of daily life. Respecting to con- viviality, Portugal and Spain are distinct from other populations of the European reality analyzed, with a high frequency of con- vivial activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion it was found the existence of national characteristics that suggest the existence of social and cultural factors that determine the experience of aging.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calha
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Postigo Mota
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D011174:Portugal; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain