Avaliação da qualidade de vida em idosos acompanhados ou não por cuidadores: um estudo comparativo.

Abstract

The population aging is a constant, unprecedented and worldwide event. As longevity increases there is a tendency to increase the degree of dependence. The changes and deleterious effects that occur with aging require some level of permanent care for the quality of life the individual isn’t affected. It is in this context of permanent care that the caregiver appears, which creates the need to investigate what influences the presence or not of the caregiver on the Quality of Life (QoL) of the elderly. The objective of this study was to analyse comparatively the perception of quality of life of elderly accompanied or not by caregivers. This is a survey of exploratory and observational, quantitative, held in the micro-region of Paraiba state of West Curimataú. The sample consisted of 444 elderly and data were collected using two instruments: the socio-demographic questionnaire and WHOQOL-old, after approval by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital Universitário Alcides Carneiro, Federal University of Campina Grande an opinion No. 844,702. The results show that the most population of elderly didn’t have caregivers (60,1%); with greater evidence for the female sex, married, not literate and with income less than or equal to two minimum wages. The facets that make up the QoL construct, for the elderly with caregivers stood out "Autonomy" (AUT) and "death and dying" (MEM), which obtained the worst (EBF = 12,65) and the best (14,71) performance respectively. For the elderly without caregivers, the facet “Social Participation” (PSO) obtained lower score (14,21) and “sensory operation” the biggest (15,79), being in general the QV global (Overall) best evaluated by elderly without caregivers. It is observed, the study brings important reflection for the need improvement of health actions and services directed at the elderly population, especially the provides the aspects that make up QoL. It’s urgent develop strategies at all levels of the healt care aimed at elderly carer dyad, as well to the elderly who aren’t caregivers, in order of promoting better levels of quality of life.