The effect of daily physical activity levels on the quality of life and life satisfaction of the population 65 years old and older who apply to the family health center

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The world population is getting older. As they get older, their quality of life and satisfaction decrease due to physical disabilities, decline in cognitive abilities, and the emergence of chronic diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity levels and quality of life and life satisfaction in the population aged 65 and over who applied to the Family Health Center. METHOD: Our study was conducted on individuals aged 65 and over who applied to a family medicine unit in Sakarya Province between 01.12.2022 and 31.12.2022. A survey form consisting of 5 sections was applied to those who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study using face-to-face interview technique. In the first part of the survey form, there are questions questioning the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, in the second part, "Life Satisfaction Scale", in the third part, "Nottingham Health Profile (NHP)", in the fourth part, "Barthel Index" and in the fifth part, "General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire" has received. The data were recorded in the SPSS 20.0 program and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In our study with a total of 260 participants, 107 (41.2%) were male and 153 (58.8%) were female. The average age of the participants was found to be 73.93±6.52 Standard Deviation (SD). 241 (92.7%) of the participants had at least one chronic disease, and when their physical activity status in primary care was examined, 161 (61.9%) were inactive, 40 (15.4%) were less active, 22' It was determined that 37 of them (8.5%) were moderately mobile and 37 of them (14.2%) were mobile. It has been determined that the rate of inactivity is higher in those aged 81 and over, those with low income, those whose education level is primary school or below, and those who were prevented from doing physical activities during the pandemic period. Life satisfaction scale score of participants who are active or less active; The modified Barthel index was found to be significantly higher in those who were sedentary and in those who were active, moderately mobile or less mobile than in those who were sedentary. CONCLUSION: The functionality required increasing life satisfaction and quality is through physical activity. In order to reduce the addiction level of the elderly population and increase the quality of life and life satisfaction, importance should be given to physical activities and awareness of physical activity should be increased.