A content analysis on the perception of quality of life among older adults resident in a southern municipality of Bahia: Qualitative Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The change in the global demographic profile provided by the increase in life expectancy is a theme that has been causing discussions and investigations especially with regard to quality of life in old age. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the perception of elderly individuals about the meaning of aging in a southern municipality of Bahia and to verify the association between sociodemographic and health variables and the perception of quality of life. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive study with a qualitative approach, conducted with 25 elderly people between March and May 2019, based on data collected by a sociodemographic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews - recorded, transcribed and analyzed through Content Analysis. The non-probabilistic sample was obtained, with elderly aged over 60 years who were approached in the waiting rooms of the Basic Health Units (UBS) and in the Quality of life Groups, assisted by the family health support center team (NASF) of the municipality. RESULTS: Three central categories emerged from the analysis: "Perception about the aging process”, “Perception about Quality of Life", and "Reasons for satisfaction with Quality of Life". There was an association between health, quality of life, personal autonomy, and good family and social relationships. The results suggest that older people perceive active ageing and autonomy as a challenge to be faced. CONCLUSION: Understand how the elderly perceive the aging process and its health issues, social relationships, family life, linked to the notion of quality of life, allows the health professional to think strategies of care actions beyond the focus on the disease, that encourage specific actions to seek changes in care and assistance to this population.