Life Quality of a Group of Elderly Persons in a Health Zone of Huelva

The ageing of the population is nowadays one of the most pressing problems in our society. The increase of the community of people over 65 (where a strong increase of the oldest population -80 years old- is remarkable) is demanding new challenges from public health & or social services professionals, & from managers & supervisors involved in the adoption & implementation of Welfare policies. In order to knowing the concrete situation of this group in an area of Huelva, the present study is planned. Its main aim is to assess quality of life of the older population. For this purpose, a representative sample of the population over 65 & more than one health zone of the city of Huelva were selected from the available census. By means of individual interviews at the elders' homes made by specifically trained staff, a number of scales & questionnaires were administered in order to measure several aspects (both objective & subjective) of the quality of life. Among others, health self-perception & subjective well-being (through satisfaction with life), social relationships & support, & the degree of autonomy of the elder, as well as some socio-demographic variables, were measured. The present study shows only the results relative to the elders' subjective health & well-being. Our aim is for the final results of the various measured aspects of the elders' quality of life to help guiding performances in order to improve the situation of this sector of the population. 7 References. Adapted from the source document.