Satisfaction with life of elderly women

Introduction: The term satisfaction with life encompasses an individual’s assessment of generał life satisfaction in reference to personal standards. Satisfaction with life enhances activity and an ability to manage difficult situations.
Aim: The aim of the research was to evaluate satisfaction with life of elderly women as well as to establish a correlation between physical, mental and motor states of elderly women and their satisfaction with life.
Material and methods: The research involved 100 women aged 65 and more: the University of the Third Age students and The Combatant and Veterans Houses inhabitants. The Satisfaction with Life Scale – SWLS was utilized to assess life satisfaction. Questionnaires being a part of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) were applied to evaluate physical, motor and mental states of the subjects.
Results: The majority of women researched demonstrate average and high levels of satisfaction with life. It is lower in subjects afflicted with diseases: urinary incontinence and circulatory insufficiency as well as those with less efficient life functions, symptoms of depression, a worse nutritional state.
Conclusions: The awareness of factors influencing satisfaction with life of elderly women allows a better understanding of the group’s situation. In addition, it facilitates the process of devising schemes aimed at assisting the elderly in pursuing successful aging.