Work, leisure activities and family support: factors to protect quality of life of elderly

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of work, family support and leisure activities on the quality of life (QOL) of elderly. The sample consisted of 169 elderly residents in Sacramento, MG aged 60 years old or more. In order to evaluate QOL it was used the WHOQOL-Bref e WHOQOL-Old. Information regarding work, family support, leisure activities and work was collected through semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed by using the Student t test and Mann-Whitney, considering p<0.05. Leisure activities were related to the “physical”, “psychological” and “global” domains of WHOQOL-Bref and to the “sensory abilities”, “autonomy”, “social participation” facets and overall score of WHOQOL-Old. Retirees who still worked had significantly higher scores on the domain “physical” and on the facet “death and dying” compared to ones who did no work anymore. Social support was an important strategy to coping with daily problems. Good family life, paid work and participation in leisure activities can be considered protective factors for the quality of life of seniors.