Social Support, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Older Adults in Wellness centers

Authors

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/eglobal.636591
Keywords: Elderly adult, health-related quality of life, social support, functional independence

Abstract

Introduction: comprehensive management of the elderly is necessary to ensure quality of life in ageing.
Objective: Determine relationship between social support, functional capacity, and quality of life in older adults attending welfare centers in Cartagena, Colombia.
Materials and Method: descriptive, comparative, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted with 417 older adults. The Lawton and Brody functionality scale, the Multicultural Quality of Life Index, and the Social Support Scale were applied. The analysis used central tendency measures and statistical tests: Student’s t, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H. Ethical guidelines: Resolution 008430 and the Helsinki Principles.
Results: Women represented 61.72% of the participants, with a median age of 68 to 80 years. Economically, 50.96% depended on a state subsidy and 38.76% on family support. Bivariate analysis showed statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) with age (p < 0.001), economic resources (p = 0.045), medication use (p < 0.001), physical activity (p < 0.001), and productive activity (p = 0.004). Correlation analysis revealed that quality of life and social support scores were moderately correlated (r = 0.41). Age was significantly associated with functionality (p < 0.001). A negative correlation between age and Lawton and Brody scores (r = -0.21; p < 0.001) indicates increased dependence with advancing age, impacting health-related quality of life.
Conclusion: Older adults in welfare centers rely mainly on family or government financial support. It emphasizes the importance of strengthening support networks and involving families in care. It recommends interdisciplinary health strategies aimed at maintaining or improving functional capacity to enhance quality of life.

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Published
09-07-2025
How to Cite
[1]
Manrique-Anaya, Y. et al. 2025. Social Support, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Older Adults in Wellness centers. Global Nursing. 24, 2 (Jul. 2025). DOI:https://doi.org/10.6018/eglobal.636591.
Issue
Vol. 24 No. 2 (2025): #76 May-August
Section
ORIGINAL RESEARCH

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