Objective:

To analyze the relationship between spiritual wellbeing, quality of life satisfaction, functional status, and sense of the suffering in a population of religious elderly residents.

Methods:

Descriptive, transversal and correlational study. The sample included N=435 residents (average age=83.17, SD=7.04). FACIT Sp Ex scale, Sense of Suffering Humannizing scale, Lawton's Philadelphia scale and Barthel's Index were used. Student's T and Pearson's correlations were obtained.

Results:

There is a high percentage (42.3 %, N=88) of unsatisfied residents with quality of life in the oldness. The average of sense of suffering as change (M=3.62) was significantly (p<.05) greater than as a charge (M=2.36), which showed moderate and positive significant correlation (p<.01) with all dimensions of spiritual well-being (r=.276), overall well-being (r=.315) and purpose/ peace (r=.343). Independence group (according to Barthel index) earned a significantly higher average (p <.05) in dimensions peace and purpose (M=26.28), overall well-being (M=40.36), spiritual well-being (M=78.29) and attitudes towards old age (M=2.72) than dependence group (M=24.45, M=38.07, M=74.63 and M=2.25 respectively).

Conclusions:

Elderly care must include the spiritual dimension. The sense of suffering as a charge explicits inner transformation that religious population can give to the suffering. It is highlighted the importance of promoting social relationship satisfaction and positive attitudes towards old age in order to generate well-being, reduce levels of anxiety and prevent dissatisfaction due to fear to getting older.

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