en طب سالمندان Geriatrics پژوهشي Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">Background and Purpose: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">As populations age globally, the quality of life (QoL) of older adults has become a major public health and social policy concern, particularly among socioeconomically vulnerable groups supported by governmental welfare institutions. In Iran, limited evidence exists on how older adults perceive their quality of life within the context of state-provided welfare services. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of older adults supported by a government welfare foundation regarding their QoL in Yazd, Iran.</span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">Materials and Methods: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">A qualitative phenomenological design was employed. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 older adults receiving support from a government welfare foundation in Yazd. Data were analyzed using Zhang&#39;s approach. </span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">Results: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">The analysis generated 674 initial codes, which were grouped into 17 subcategories and further condensed into 7 main categories. The key dimensions of QoL included Life satisfaction, Health, Economic security, Environmental conditions, Access to foundation, Perceived provided services, and Unmet needs and expectations.</span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">Conclusion: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">The findings indicate that while welfare support alleviates material hardship, it alone is insufficient to meaningfully enhance older adults&rsquo; QoL. Improving well-being requires a shift toward person-centered, integrated models of care that address psychosocial needs, social connectedness, and dignity alongside financial assistance. For the Foundation and policymakers, investing in community-based and preventive social and mental health interventions is essential. Such a reorientation can lead to more sustainable and impactful welfare policies in the context of rapid population ageing.</span></span></span></span></span><br> <br> <div></div></div> Aged, Quality of life, Qualitative, Phenomenology, Social Welfare 0 0 http://jhs.mazums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1220-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Hassan Rezaeipandari hrezaeipandari@yahoo.com 100319475328460015031 100319475328460015031 No Elderly Health Research Center, Department of Aging and Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Razieh Sadeghi sadeghirazieh78@yahoo.com 100319475328460015030 100319475328460015030 Yes Elderly Health Research Center, Department of Aging and Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran