Quality of life of institutionalized elderly people after confinement by COVID-19.

Abstract

COVID-19 has significantly affected older people who are institutionalized in residential centers. The objective of the study was to analyze whether the situation of confinement influenced the perception of the quality of life of the residents of a center for the elderly. Method. Participating in the study were 12 elderly people aged between 68 and 93 years from an institutionalized center. The Quality of Life Assessment Questionnaire in a Residential Context was used, a sociodemographic survey, the Mini-Cognitive Examination and a global impairment scale. Tests analysis of frequencies and percentages as well as analysis of means t of student were used.Results. It was found that the average health was higher before confinement, as well as the visits and the establishment of social and family relationships. On the contrary, satisfaction with life was higher after the confinement situation, as was the level of functional capacity of the residents, which implied the need for more help due to the perceived worsening of function. Regarding activities and leisure, as well as environmental quality, they found no significant mean differences. Conclusions. The COVID-19 situation has highlighted the impact on the quality of life of older people institutionalized in residential centers, objectifying a detriment of it in the situation of confinement. This shows the need to carry out interventions that improve the perception of quality of life, especially in emergency situations.