Protective factors and quality of life of older adults residing at the Mis Años Dorados Gerontological Center

Abstract

The importance of protective factors lies in their direct influence on the overall well-being of the elderly population, especially when they are in vulnerable contexts. This article was developed with the aim of analyzing the protective factors and quality of life of elderly residents at the Gerontological Center "Mis Años Dorados" in Cantón Pedernales, Manabí, Ecuador. Methodologically, a descriptive investigation with a quantitative approach and a non-experimental design was conducted, allowing for a detailed understanding of the characteristics and nature of the protective factors. A field study was carried out with 30 elderly residents of the center, using surveys based on the "WHOQOL-OLD" Quality of Life Scale and the Protective Factors for Elderly Well-being Scale, designed by the author, as data collection techniques. The results revealed that 50% of the elderly present a moderately good quality of life, with 36.67% perceiving protective factors at a medium level. However, 23.33% were found to have low levels of quality of life, highlighting the need for specific interventions to improve protective factors. In conclusion, it was determined that protective factors play a crucial role in the quality of life of the elderly, especially in relation to gender and age, suggesting the need for personalized approaches to strengthen these aspects in this vulnerable population.