Health, well-being, violence and social support of population aged 60+: results from a national prevalence study

This presentation is based on a national prevalence study “Ageing and Violence”, within the Portuguese population aged 60+, in family context. We adopted a representative probability sample of 1123 people aged 60+ stratified by 7 geographic regions. Data was collected by computer-assisted telephone interviews, methodology rarely used in family sociology studies in Portugal. We obtained a social portrait of the older adults and their social support networks. This characterization covers socio-demographic aspects, physical and mental health, performing the daily living activities (ADLs) and informal and formal networks. Daughters and spouses are the main source of support. However, these family configurations vary with gender and functional incapacity of the person cared for. Overall, 15.3% of the older adults are reliant on help with ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, housework etc. Women are more likely than men to be reliant on help (19.6% and 9.8% respectively). The reliance on help also increase with age (9.4% for 60-69 age group e 36.1% for 80+ age group respectively). Only 20.2% of those who needed help with ADLs are using social services. More than half of respondents (65.5%) claims to have a sufficient number of people to ask for help when needed. About 15.1% classify their social support networks as poor and 4.4% reveal social isolation and lack of support. The nuclear family is the guarantor of solidarity between generations (resources redistribution, chronic illness or end of life) (Gil, 2010). Old age, illness and disability may be strong reasons for parents and adult’s children cohabitation. In this study 70% of the population that needs support in daily living activities lives in cohabitation (with spouse, children or other family members). Family cohabitation means mutual support but can be both aggression and indifference and sometimes can go against the norm of autonomy and respect between generations.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologi