Objective

To determine factors associated with the quality of life of the elderly in Cartagena in 2015.

Method

Cross-sectional study on a population of 107 604 senior adults, with a sample of 660 people. Two-stage sampling was carried out using the Pfeiffer test, socio-demographic survey, Yesavage depression scale, self-perceived health questionnaire, Barthel Lawton and Brody scale, Multicultural Quality of Life Index, and Duke Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a multivariate logistic regression model were used. The ethical aspects of human studies were considered.

Results

657 people participated, with an average age of 71 years, predominantly female (55.7 %), with a stable partner (62.6 %), primary schooling (49.6 %), household occupation (52.8 %), residing in strata 2 and 3 (66.7 %), and living with an average of 4 people in the same household. Findings include high prevalence of adequate social support (89.5 %), no depressive symptoms of clinical significance (86.9 %), independence to perform basic activities (86.3 %) and instrumental activities of daily living (60.8%). Additionally, their health was perceived as good (51.4 %), and the quality of life related to health as excellent (87.4 %). The most frequent pathologies were cardiovascular (26.1 %).

Conclusions

Quality of life was positively associated to the perception of adequate social support and independence to perform instrumental activities of daily living, and negatively to working or having a pension.