QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE ELDERLY UNDER THE PATIENT´S COMPREHENSION

Introduction and Objective: The rapid growth of the elderly population in the last decades is evident, especially in developing countries, where it is seen with conditions of extreme social inequality. Brazil should reach the 6th position among the ten countries with the highest number of elderly population in 2025. This population aging is a significant social impact, which requires changes throughout society. In view of this, it highlights the importance of ensuring the elderly not only longer survival, but also a good quality of life, life satisfaction and happiness. The objective of this study is to identify the understanding of the elderly about the quality of life in old age. Method: The study is being developed in the form of intentional prospective quantitative research, with pre-existing questionnaire known as the Quality of Life Scale of Flanagan. The sample is consisted of 214 elderly, residents of Petropolis neighborhood in Lages - SC. Results and Conclusions: The study is ongoing. It is observed that the increase in life expectancy has remarkable effects on the well being of the elderly and it may be a period of difficult of biopsychosocial adaptations. However, the third age can also be lived with intensity and great quality of life if the elderly remain independent and autonomous. In this sense, it is necessary planning new strategies to put the elderly as an active participant in them health promotion process, valuing them and encouraging them to find the well-being and in the quality of life in old age.