Las residencias para mayores parecen "instituciones cerradas" o "microcosmos independientes" centrando el interés de los medios de comunicación sólo en las deficiencias de las residencias para mayores. Objetivos: comparar la calidad de vida, capacidad funcional, el grado dependencia y los síntomas depresivos de las personas mayores institucionalizadas en residencias comparándolas con los mayores que residen junto a sus familiares. Material y método: se han analizado la calidad de vida y las alteraciones físicas y psicológicas de 400 personas mayores de 60 años de edad, ingresados en residencias de mayores o que viven junto con sus familiares, mediante la realización de un cuestionario que recoge tres índices diferentes (Barthel Index, escala de Yesavage y cuestionario WHOQOL-OLD) para evaluar el grado de dependencia de las personas. Resultados: se ha determinado una reducción significativa de la calidad de vida de las personas mayores que viven en residencias (p<0.001), respecto a los mayores que conviven habitualmente con sus familiares. Nuestros resultados muestran que el grado de dependencia física y/o psicológica de nuestros mayores es el factor determinante para su ingreso en una residencia para mayores en nuestra comunidad (p>0.001). Conclusión: el modelo actual de residencias requiere un cambio que permita dar respuestas a las necesidades reales de nuestros mayores institucionalizados.

Nursing homes have the characteristic of being “complete institutions” or “enclosed microcosms” and the quality of life (QoL) in late adulthood is generally perceived as a multidimensional construct. Over recent years, media reports have focused on the deficiencies in nursing home residences, and a subsequent increase in the demand for instruments capable of measuring this construct has arisen. Objective: To compare the quantitative functional mobility, level of independence, depressive symptoms and QoL of nursing home residents compared with home care recipients. Methods: have analyzed the quality of life and physical and psychological disorders 400 people over 60 years old, admitted to nursing homes or living with their families through the implementation of a questionnaire covering three different indices (Barthel Index, Yesavage and WHOQOL-OLD) to assess the degree of dependence of people. Results: has resulted in a significant reduction in quality of life of older people living in nursing homes (p<0.001) compared to older usually live with their families. Our results show that the degree of physical and / or psychological dependence on our largest is the determinant for entry into a nursing home in our community (p>0.001) factor. Conclusions: the current model residences require a change that allows responding to the real needs of our elderly institutionalized.

Nursing homes have the characteristic of being “complete institutions” or “enclosed microcosms” and the quality of life (QoL) in late adulthood is generally perceived as a multidimensional construct. Over recent years, media reports have focused on the deficiencies in nursing home residences, and a subsequent increase in the demand for instruments capable of measuring this construct has arisen. Objective: To compare the quantitative functional mobility, level of independence, depressive symptoms and QoL of nursing home residents compared with home care recipients. Methods: have analyzed the quality of life and physical and psychological disorders 400 people over 60 years old, admitted to nursing homes or living with their families through the implementation of a questionnaire covering three different indices (Barthel Index, Yesavage and WHOQOL-OLD) to assess the degree of dependence of people. Results: has resulted in a significant reduction in quality of life of older people living in nursing homes (p<0.001) compared to older usually live with their families. Our results show that the degree of physical and / or psychological dependence on our largest is the determinant for entry into a nursing home in our community (p>0.001) factor. Conclusions: the current model residences require a change that allows responding to the real needs of our elderly institutionalized.