Las redes de apoyo y su importancia en la calidad de vida en el adulto mayor

Abstract

It is well known that the aging of the population is one of the most important demographic phenomena in the world today, since it demands a greater social and economic demand; Likewise, it requires new looks at the care of the elderly to generate an active senescence, achieving a good quality of life and well-being, since aging implies the modification of the physical and behavioral appearance, experiences and above all the loss of the mental capacity. Through positive appreciation of everyday events and adaptation to expectations, inner harmony and gradual balance can be achieved; In other words, this stage should not be considered as a tragedy but as one more stage of human development with unique characteristics. To improve the health of this part of the population, it is very important to carry out research on the quality of life of older adults, since one of the factors considered as determining factors in well-being is the practice of physical activities. The quality of life is the perception that a person has of his own life; This perception is elaborated within the cultural context, the value system, life regulations and above all about their goals and expectations. Instead, the support network is the foundation for those who need help; They help to achieve a sense of belonging and generate social integration. In older adults they avoid isolation, which adds value to the quality of life. Therefore, support networks in this stage of human development are considered of great importance, since they help the individual, in this case the elderly, to create an environment that promotes health, improve well-being and self-esteem, reduce the possibility of stressful events in life and providing information to people that their behavior will lead to the desired consequences in society; that is, it helps reduce the negative impact of stressful events by influencing the individual's interpretation and responses.