Dependencia funcional y accesibilidad a los servicios de salud en adultos mayores

Introduction: Population aging is associated with an increase in functional dependence among older adults, which may limit their effective access to health services. Understanding how this condition influences the perception of accessibility is essential for public health policy development, particularly in rural settings where user experience reflects persistent structural barriers. Objective: Population aging is associated with an increase in functional dependence among older adults, which may limit their effective access to health services. Understanding how this condition influences the perception of accessibility is essential for public health policy development, particularly in rural settings where user experience reflects persistent structural barriers. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, correlational study with a quantitative approach was conducted in older adults. Functional dependence was assessed using the Barthel Index, while accessibility to health services was evaluated through a structured questionnaire covering geographical, economic, and acceptability dimensions. Results: A negative, weak but statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between functional dependence and the overall perception of accessibility to health services. This association was significant for geographical and economic accessibility, indicating greater perceived difficulties related to transportation and costs as functional dependence increased. No significant correlation was observed with the acceptability dimension. Conclusions: There is a significant negative correlation between functional dependence and the perception of accessibility—particularly geographical and economic—to health services among older adults. Higher levels of functional dependence are associated with lower perceived ease of access to healthcare, while acceptability does not appear to be directly influenced by functional status.