The capacity of Civil Society Organizations to improve the quality of life of the elderly: a qualitative study in impoverished urban areas of Mexico

https://doi.org/10.18294/sc.2010.365

Published 6 August 2010 Open Access


Tonatiuh T. González Vázquez Licenciado en Ciencias Políticas. Doctorando en Ciencias Políticas, Centro de Investigación y Docencia en Humanidades del Estado de Morelos. Investigador en Ciencias Médicas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México. , Margarita Márquez Serrano Licenciada en Economía. Magíster en Medicina Social, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, México. Investigadora en Ciencias Médicas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México. , Sandra Treviño Siller Licenciada en Antropología. Doctora en Antropología, Universidad Autónoma de México. Investigadora en Ciencias Médicas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México. , Jesica Gómez-Jauregui Licenciada en Ciencia Política. Doctora en Ciencias en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México. Consultora independiente. , Blanca Estela Pelcastre-Villafuerte Licenciada en Psicología. Doctora en Psicología Social, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Investigadora en Ciencias Médicas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México



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Keywords:

Non-Governmental Organizations, Aged, Poverty, Quality of Life, Mexico

Abstract


Recently, the proportion of elderly people (EP) has increased considerably in Mexico, as well as the number of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) dedicated to helping poor people. Our objective was to analyze the capacity of the CSOs to implement actions in order to improve the quality of life of the poor EP in urban areas. In 2005, fourteen interviews were conducted with personnel of ten CSOs who worked in poor zones of four Mexican cities. The interview guide and the analysis were based on the internal structure and the external context that affect CSO's capacity. Within the main achievements, we identified an the increase in the participation and self-management of people and in the number of actions carried out in order to improve quality of people's life. The main obstacles identified were: the CSOs responsiveness, which is always lower than the population demands; their target population is not only EP; and insufficient financing. The attention provided by CSOs to EP is scarce, but essential. It is necessary to promote a culture of prevention and interest in the EP, and support to CSOs.