Percepción de bienestar en el envejecimiento de los adultos mayores del grupo de servicios sociales del adulto mayor perteneciente al Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (IESS) Cuenca, 2013

Abstract

Background: The increase of elderly population is a global reality; therefore it is important to find out the perceptions of aging, in order to generate proposals to improve the quality of life and welfare of the elderly.

Objective: To determine the perception of well-being in the aging seniors as part of the Social Services group of the elderly belonging to the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security (IESS)

Methodology: A quantitative and qualitative analysis involving ten aging seniors was carried on. They were deeply interviewed about their perceptions on aging. Later on and using the focus group technique we obtained general information about the manifestations of aging, the gathered information was analyzed in order to determine concepts and perceptions.

Results: According to the elderly group that belong the Social Services Group of the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security (IESS) in Cuenca, aging is characterized by the decreased of physical abilities, memory and health problems, loneliness and depression.

Their physical, emotional and intellectual well-being is affected by the lack of autonomy, insomnia and chronic diseases. For this group family support, integration spaces, is a stimulus for their personal wellbeing.

Conclusions: Biological, social and personal factor have a lot to do with the Perception of wellness in aging seniors. This is also closely related to autonomy, independence and especially family affection which is as well deeply affected by the presence of chronic diseases

KEY WORDS: QUALITY OF LIFE, PERCEPTION, ELDER, AGING, INSTITUTO ECUATORIANO DE SEGURIDAD SOCIAL