Age-friendly city perception and the effect of active aging on quality of life for elderly people in İsparta city center

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of sociodemographic variables, age-friendly city perceptions, and active aging levels on the quality of life of the elderly living in Isparta's city center. This cross-sectional study was done from March 2023 to August 2024. The research universe included 36,500 senior persons who lived in Isparta's city center. To compute the sample size, the quality of life universe standard deviation () was 7, the intended deviation from the mean (d) was 0.7, and the significance threshold (t=1.96 for 5%) was used, yielding 786 results. To assist sampling, it was planned to reach 800 persons. The study was completed with 653 participants (81.62%). The study's dependent variable was older quality of life, whereas the independent factors were sociodemographic characteristics, perception of an age-friendly city, and level of active aging. The YYK-Short scale was used to assess older quality of life, the AFCCQ-TR scale for perceptions of age-friendly cities, and the AYO scale for active aging. Data were collected face-to-face and analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 program. The data was analyzed using number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, t-test in independent groups, Pearson correlation test, Mann Whitney U test, and linear regression. The p-value of <0.005 was considered statistically significant. The individuals in this study had an average YYK-Short score of 47.8±9.5, AFCCQ-TR total score of 13.5±12.4, and AYO total score of 149.9±43.4. Having a regular job, having friends, having hobbies, doing sports or exercise, having a primary school education or less, having income equal to or greater than expenses, having moderate or good health, not smoking, doing their own daily chores, marital status is married, having a high perception of an elderly-friendly city, and having a high level of active aging were discovered to be factors that improve the elderly's quality of life. The elderly population continues to grow, so it is recommended that appropriate services be provided for the elderly in the cities where they live, that studies be planned to increase their active aging levels, that factors influencing the elderly's quality of life be identified, and that measures be taken to improve their quality of life. Keywords: Active Aging, Age-Friendly Health Cares, Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, Quality of Life, Quality of Life for the Elderly