Quality of Life of Older Persons: The Role and Challenges of Social Services Providers

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 14;19(14):8573. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19148573.

Abstract

Considering the growing number of older persons, ensuring the quality of life of them, as well as the social services designed for this population category, has become more and more important. Especially in the case of dependent older persons, social services are essential components, as they contribute to a better quality of life. The aim of this paper was to examine the perspectives of social services providers for older persons with respect to their role and the challenges encountered in ensuring the quality of life of older beneficiaries. In order to answer our objectives, we employed a qualitative methodology, using the focus group method to collect information from social services providers (both residential and home care). Multiple factors are related to a good quality of life in old age: some are related to individual characteristics, while others are related to the provision of services. The provision of quality social services that adequately respond to the needs of beneficiaries contributes to increasing the degree of independence and maintaining the physical and mental health of dependent older persons.

Keywords: older persons; quality of care; quality of life; social services.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Focus Groups
  • Home Care Services*
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life* / psychology
  • Social Work

Grants and funding

Part of this work was developed and funded under The Research and Development Programme of the Ministry of Labour and Social Justice for the period 2018–2020, project number 3676/2018, and part under the Nucleu Programme, supported by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization (PN 19130401 and PN 19130203). (Această lucrare a fost realizată prin Planul sectorial de cercetare—dezvoltare al Ministerului Muncii și Justiției Sociale pentru perioada 2018–2020, proiect nr. 3676/2018 și prin Programul-nucleu, derulat cu sprijinul MCID, proiect nr. PN 19130401 și proiect nr. PN 19130203). The APC was funded by the Nucleu Programme, supported by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization (MCID) (PN 19130401 and PN 19130203).