Satisfaction with life related to functionality in active elderly people.

INTRODUCTION To study the relationship between the objective variables of functionality and degree of life satisfaction in elderly people with an active lifestyle. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study took place using a sample of 340 elderly people, aged 60-85, who were all leading an active life. The tests applied were: Satisfaction with Life Scale, Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test, Memory Failures Everyday, Geriatric Depression Scale, OARS social support subscale, COOP-WONCA physical dimension subscale and Siu and Reuben hierarchical scale for self-sufficiency. RESULTS Statistical analyses were made using Pearson's correlations, with a significance level of p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 between the objective variables and satisfaction with life level. The overall results show a negative correlation, that is, a paradox of well-being between the objective criteria of level of studies, memory level and self-sufficiency and the objective criterion of the level of life satisfaction. CONCLUSION Proposals for intervention in elderly people's physical activity are needed, since reduced mobility could lead to a pathological pattern of life.