Ruth Elizabeth Calderón Landívar, Evelyng Adriana Guanuchi Mestanza, Roger Sebastian Gonzalez Sanchez, Jenrry Fredy Chávez Arizala
The purpose of this research was to analyze the perception of abandonment in elderly inmates and outpatients of several gerontological centers in Santo Domingo during the year 2024. For this purpose, a quantitative approach was used with a non-experimental, descriptive and transversal design. The population was made up of elderly inmates and outpatients from different gerontological centers. Structured surveys were applied as a data collection instrument.The results revealed that elderly inmates perceive a higher degree of abandonment compared to outpatients. It was identified that inmates mostly come from families with low economic resources and receive fewer visits and family support. On an emotional level, they expressed feelings of sadness and isolation, while outpatients, although they also expressed loneliness, reported greater social support. Regarding the support received, inmates depend mainly on the care provided by the center staff, while outpatients obtain greater support from their relatives.In conclusion, the perception of abandonment in older adults varies according to their status as inpatient or outpatient, including factors such as contact with family, emotional support and care received. It is recommended to strengthen family ties, implement integration programs and improve psychological care to reduce the emotional impact of abandonment in this vulnerable group.