Percepción del apoyo familiar del adulto mayor en el Centro de Salud Tarqui Cuenca, 2024- 2025

Abstract

The stage of old age, also known as the third age or late adulthood, is a particularly delicate period in people's lives, marked by the natural decline of human biology starting from the age of 65. According to data from the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (MIES) of Ecuador in 2018, the country has a population of 1,049,824 older adults, which represents approximately 6.5% of the total population. Of these, 14.6% of poor households are composed of an older adult living alone, and 14.9% are in a state of abandonment. This is why family support for older adults (OA) plays a fundamental role in their well-being and development. The aim of this research was to analyze the perception of family support for older adults at the Tarqui Cuenca Health Center. It was based on a qualitative phenomenological design with a descriptive scope. The sample was non-probabilistic, using opinion sampling and convenience sampling until information saturation was reached. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect data, and ATLAS.ti software was employed for qualitative analysis. The results determined that the perception of family support for older adults is a key factor for their overall well-being, especially at a stage in life where family relationships acquire significant importance.