Aging is a very heterogeneous and dissimilar process, full of asymmetries. There is evidence that socio-economic differences determine disadvantages and inequalities in old ages. Older people face particular inequalities in healthiness especially with more complex and vulnerable long-term conditions, being more likely to need support from social care services.

To evaluate the quality of life (well-being) related to the health of the elderly according to socio-economic indicators.

Cross-sectional quantitative study was performed. A total of 316 elderly people (M = 74.78; SD = 9.78 years of age) was interviewed with the Portuguese version of the EQ-5D-3L scale for health-related quality of life.

The interaction between income and the type of residential follow-up (alone vs. accompanied) was not statistically significant [F (2.310) = .910, P < .407; Ƞp2 = .006]. Differences in health status index were statistically significant for income [F (2.310) = 5.518, P < .004; Ƞp2 = .034]. Post-hoc comparisons indicated that the mean score for those with insufficient income for their expenses (M = .39, SD = .27) was significantly different from those with income reaching their expenses (M = .50, SD = .25) as well as those with income covering their expenses sufficiently (M = .60, SD = .21). The main effect for the type of follow-up (alone vs. accompanied) did not reach statistical significance [F (2.310) = .224, P < .636, Ƞp2 = .672].

Income has an impact on health-related quality of life. Health in aging as a social phenomenon is not neutral to economic differences and is exposed to these structural disadvantages.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.