Profiles of Older People Who Practice Pleasant Events: sociodemographic aspects, social vulnerability and functionality

This study mapped profiles of older adults who participated in pleasant events, and related these profiles with sociodemographic and functional state. Older adults (n=330) without cognitive impairments, community residents and with different social vulnerability levels (accessed by the Paulista Index of Social Vulnerability) answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Pfeffer Scale (functionality) and the OPPES-BR (involvement in pleasant activities). By applying a cluster analysis, which combined the hierarchical and non-hierarchical method, five profiles of older adults were identified: highly active; highly socially active; minimalists; little active contemplative; and little active intellectual. Maintaining high frequency in pleasant activities was associated with a higher education, lower social vulnerability, and less functional dependence. The little active contemplative was the most vulnerable profile, with higher scores on functional decline, social vulnerability, and illiteracy rates. Considering the diversity of the older adult’s profiles, public policies favoring the access to pleasant events are needed, especially for the most vulnerable ones.

Keywords:
older people; functional state; leisure activities