There is no denying that the general population is getting increasingly older in recent decades and thus the urgent need to provide this group biopsychosocial conditions for an effective quality of life. Considering these aspects, this study focuses on the social representation of the quality of life as seen by the elderly. The sample consisted of 40 subjects, 20 who lived in a retirement home and 20 who attended support groups located in João Pessoa. The interview was carried out thoroughly, and its contents were subjected to thematic content analysis. The results showed similarities and differences between their representations, and that older people in social groups represented the quality of life as something that was part of their reality, while the second group defined it as something that lacks to them. Thus, we highlighted the importance of involving this group in social support groups, expanding the research and the importance of plans of actions that benefit them totally.
Quality of life; Social representation; Developmental age groups; Homes for the aged
