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

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 19; no. 14; p. 8573
• Main Authors: Ghenţa, Mihaela, Matei, Aniela, Mladen-Macovei, Luise, Stănescu, Simona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 14-07-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Age; Beneficiaries; COVID-19; Home health care; Life expectancy; Mental health; Mental health services; Older people; Qualitative research; Quality of care; Quality of life; Social services; Social services delivery; Social support; Socioeconomic factors; State budgets; Romania
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148573

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.