Autonomy, identity and health: defining quality of life in older age

Journal of Medical Ethics ◽

10.1136/medethics-2020-107185 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. medethics-2020-107185

Author(s):

Sara Kate Heide

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Life Quality ◽

The Elderly ◽

Best Interests ◽

Healthcare Team ◽

Personal Experiences ◽

Definition Of ◽

Made In

Defining quality of life is a difficult task as it is a subjective and personal experience. However, for the elderly, this definition is necessary for making complicated healthcare-related decisions. Commonly these decisions compare independence against safety or longevity against comfort. These choices are often not made in isolation, but with the help of a healthcare team. When the patient’s concept of quality of life is miscommunicated, there is a risk of harm to the patient whose best interests are not well understood. In order to bridge this gap in understanding and unite seniors with their caretakers as a cohesive team, we need to establish a definition of quality of life. In this paper, my personal experiences with the elderly will be analysed along with five essays on the topic of ageing. These sources provide clear evidence that quality of life for seniors is majorly determined by the ability to preserve one’s lifelong identity. When making difficult decisions in geriatric healthcare, this greater understanding of the determinants of life quality will allow treatments to best serve the elderly. Defining quality of life allows healthcare providers to shift the focus from minimising disability toward maximising ability. I believe this shift would provide seniors with better health outcomes and properly enhance the quality of their years.

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A comparative study of the voice-related quality of life among Egyptian elderly with and without voice complaints

The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology ◽

10.1186/s43163-020-00051-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nesreen Fathi Mahmoud ◽

Huda Zahran ◽

Sherif Abdelmonam

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Life Quality ◽

Voice Disorders ◽

The Elderly ◽

Different Types ◽

Related Quality ◽

The Impact ◽

The Voice

Abstract Background This study focuses on the self-perception of the voice in the elderly as assessed by the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) questionnaire. This work aimed to compare differences in the voice-related quality of life outcomes between (1) elderly with and without voice disorders, (2) female and male elderly with voice disorders, and (3) different types of voice disorders, and to explore the correlation between the V-RQOL and perceptual analysis done by the clinician. Forty-three dysphonic and 44 non-dysphonic elderly filled out the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) protocol that analyzes the impact of dysphonia on life quality. Vocal perceptual assessment of each subject with dysphonia was made by three voice therapists, followed by a flexible nasofibrolaryngoscope. Results A significant statistical difference was found between the means of total V-RQOL scores and its subdomains for each group (dysphonic and non-dysphonic). No significant differences were found between male and female elderly with dysphonia. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation with the vocal assessment made by the clinicians and the V-RQOL self-assessment made by the subjects. Conclusions This study provides valuable information regarding the risk factors that contribute to vocal quality in the elderly population. Our results revealed that different types of voice disorders are common among the elderly population with significant negative effects on quality of life. It was observed that the poorest score on the V-RQOL was for functional voice disorders, followed by neoplastic lesions, whereas MAPLs had the best score on the V-RQOL.

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Gambaran Kualitas Hidup Lansia Yang Tinggal Di Panti Sosial : Literature Review

Prosiding Seminar Nasional Kesehatan ◽

10.48144/prosiding.v1i.902 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 1605-1614

Author(s):

K Krisdiyanti ◽

Dyah Putri Aryati

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Literature Review ◽

Elderly People ◽

Life Quality ◽

The Elderly ◽

Care Homes ◽

Pubmed Database ◽

Elderly Living

AbstractThe increasing number of the elderly population is a phenomenom that occurs today. The high level of dependence of the elderly causes the elderly to have the potential to be placed in care homes. The elderly are individuals who hane a high risk of isease and stressors. This, of course, requires efforts to ensure the life of the elderly, not only seen from fulfillment of the needs of the elderly but also the life quality of the eldely. The study aims to describe the quality of life of the elderly who live in care homes. The study used a literature review method by searching for articles in the Pubmed database, and google sholar. The search was conducted by combining keywords: “Elderly, “Elderly people”, “Quality of life”, “WHOQOL-BREF”, and “Nursing home” with the year 2011-2021. Participants in this study were 395 respondents of elderly living in care homes. The results of the literature review of 6 articles showed that there are 73 respondents (18,5%) with low category of life quality, 195 respondents (49,9%) with medium category of life quality, and 127 repondents (32,1%) high category of the life quality. From this study, it can be concluded that the quality of life of the elderly living in care homes is mostly (49,9%) in moderate category. The role of nurses is needed to improve the quality of life of the elderly who live in care homes.Keywords: care homes; elderly; quality of life; WHOQOL-BREF AbstrakTerjadinya peningkatan jumlah populasi lanjut usia merupakan fenomena yang terjadi saat ini. Tingkat ketergantungan lansia yang tinggi mengakibatkan lansia berpontesi untuk ditempatkan di panti sosial. Lansia merupakan individu yang memiliki resiko tinggi dan rentan terhadap penyakit serta stresor. Hal ini tentunya dibutuhkan upaya untuk menjamin hidup lansia, tidak hanya dilihat dari pemenuhan kebutuhan lansia namun juga dilihat dari kualitas hidup lansia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui gambaran kualitas hidup lansia yang tinggal di panti sosial. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode literature review, untuk pencarian artikel dengan mengakses database Pubmed, dan googlescholar. Pencarian dilakukan dengan mengkombinasi kata kunci: “elderly”, “elderly people”, “Quality of life”, “WHOQOL-BREF”, “Nursing home” dengan batasan tahun 2011-2021. Partisipan pada studi ini adalah lansia yang tinggal di panti sosial dengan total 395 lansia. Hasil penelitian literature review dari 6 artikel menunjukan kualitas hidup lansia dengan kategori rendah 73 responden (18,5%), sedang 195 responden (49,9%) dan tinggi 127 responden (32,1%). Dari penelitian ini diketahui bahwa kualitas hidup lansia yang tinggal di panti sosial sebagian besar (49,9%) dalam kategori sedang. Perlu adanya peran perawat untuk meningkatkan kualitas hidup lansia yang tinggal di panti sosial.Kata kunci : kualitas hidup; lansia; panti sosial; WHOQOL-BREF

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Correlation between quality of life and adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients

Journal of Renal Injury Prevention ◽

10.15171/jrip.2019.05 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 22-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mahin Naderifar ◽

Mansoureh Zagheri Tafreshi ◽

Mahnaz Ilkhani ◽

Magid Reza Akbarizadeh ◽

Fereshteh Ghaljaei

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Life Quality ◽

Well Being ◽

Sample Volume ◽

Hemodialysis Patients ◽

Adherence To Treatment ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

The Mean

Introduction: Institutionalizing adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients is one of the important nursing goals for improving quality of life in these patients. Adherence to treatment approach in these patients can play a pivotal role in improving the health level and feeling of well-being. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the quality of life in hemodialysis patients presenting to hemodialysis centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, on the basis of adherence to treatment. Patients and Methods: This is a correlational descriptive-analytic study. The study population consisted of hemodialysis patients in five hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, in 2017. The data were collected during 8 months from October 2016 to May 2017 in Tehran. A sample volume of 200 patients was determined in this study. Demographic information questionnaire, KDQOL-SF, and ESRD-AQ were applied in data collection. Availability sampling method was used to select the samples on the basis of inclusion criteria. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 18 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Our findings showed that 50% of the patients were male. Most of the respondents of the study (23%) were 51-60 years old. The results indicated that the mean score of quality of life of patients was 50.42±22.81. The mean total score of adherence to treatment was 901.13±85.30. Also, the correlation coefficient in this study revealed a significant correlation between total score of quality of life and adherence to treatment (r=0.218, P<0.01). Conclusion: Considering the significant correlation between adherence to treatment and life quality of patients, healthcare providers can promote the life quality of these patients via focusing on planning programs for emphasizing the role of education and interventions that improve adherence to treatment in these patients.

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN LITHUANIA COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES

Technological and Economic Development of Economy ◽

10.3846/20294913.2012.708676 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 588-607 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Dalia Štreimikienė ◽

Neringa Barakauskaitė-Jakubauskienė

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Life Quality ◽

Point Of View ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

New Approach ◽

Definition Of ◽

Objective Indicators

The paper presents the definition of quality of life and its relationship with sustainable development. The paper analyses and compares the indicators of quality of life in Lithuania with other countries. A quality of life is an explicit or implicit policy goal. Various measurements and indicators to evaluate a quality of life were proposed during the recent years however there are no widely accepted objective indicators of quality of life able to compare countries. Sustainable development concept proposes new approach to measure quality of life. Therefore the aim of sustainable development is to increase quality of life. Quality of life can be addressed in terms of people health, the state of economy, employment, infrastructure development, crime and environment. All these indicators are interrelated as economic development creates preconditions to maintain public health, develop social and technical infrastructure, to increase employment, to ensure quality of environment, to tackle with crime etc. From the other point of view healthy and satisfied with the quality of life nation have positive impact on stable economic growth.

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Quality of life in swallowing of the elderly patients affected by stroke

Arquivos de Gastroenterologia ◽

10.1590/s0004-2803.2017v54n1-05 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 27-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Émerson Soares PONTES ◽

Ana Karênina de Freitas Jordão do AMARAL ◽

Flávia Luiza Costa do RÊGO ◽

Elma Heitmann Mares AZEVEDO ◽

Priscila Oliveira Costa SILVA

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Life Quality ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

The Elderly ◽

University Hospital ◽

Feeding Time ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significance Level ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The elderly population faces many difficulties as a result of the aging process. Conceptualize and evaluate their life quality is a challenge, being hard to characterize the impact on daily activities and on functional capacity. The stroke is one of the most disabling neurological diseases, becoming a public health problem. As an aggravating result, there is dysphagia, a disorder that compromises the progression of the food from the mouth to the stomach, causing clinical complications to the individual. OBJECTIVE Characterize the life quality of the elderly swallowing affected by stroke. METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted at the University Hospital, attended by 35 elderly with stroke, being 19 women and 16 men, with age between 60 and 90 years old, that self-reported satisfactory overall clinical picture. It was applied the Quality of Life Swallowing protocol. The data were statistically analyzed, by means of ANOVA tests, Spearman correlation, t test, with significance level of 5%. RESULTS The mean age was 69.5 years; as for the scores obtained by the 35 participants in the 11 domains of the protocol, it was observed a change in score indicating severe to moderate impact in quality of life related to self-reported swallowing (31.8% to 59.5%); the domain that most interfered was the feeding time (31.8%). CONCLUSION Elderly affected by stroke that present dysphagia has low scores in quality of life related to swallowing.

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Quality of life of the elderly residents of nursing homes and patients of the Psychogeriatric Day Ward

Journal of Medical Science ◽

10.20883/jms.2017.206 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 86 (1) ◽

pp. 36

Author(s):

Magdalena Pawlaczyk ◽

Teresa Gąsior ◽

Michał Michalak ◽

Andrzej Jóźwiak ◽

Ewa Zasadzka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Institutional Care ◽

Life Quality ◽

The Elderly ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Average Life Span ◽

Social Forms ◽

Environment Domain

Introduction. Due to the prolonged average life span and constantly increasing number of the elderly, research of this population’s quality of life (QoL) is being conducted to assess the spheres requiring improvement. Aim. To assess and compare the life quality in different domains between residents of nursing homes (NH) and patients of the Psychogeriatric Day Ward (PDW).Material and Methods. The study encompassed 68 PDW patients and 62 NH residents. The WHOQOL‑BREF questionnaire and a structured interview concerning diseases, different forms of support and activities preferred were used. Results. Women predominated among the subjects (83%). The elderly aged 75–90 constituted the majority (64.62%). The average assessment of QoL in the whole group amounted to 3.6 points. No significant differences in the assessment of QoL satisfaction and one’s own health satisfaction were observed between PDW patients and NH residents. The participants of both groups assessed the highest QoL in the environment domain and the lowest in the social relationships domain. A relationship between higher QoL in the physical health domain and participation in social forms of spending free time was observed. Relationships between QoL in particular domains and age, marital status and length of stay in NH were found.Conclusions. Elderly people’s QoL, similarly to their satisfaction with health, were on an average level regardless of the institutional care. The QoL remains in a significant relationship with health. The changing needs of the elderly should be the basis for creating an individual plan of professional support.

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The concept of quality of life in dementia in the different stages of the disease

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610205002073 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 353-370 ◽

Cited By ~ 89

Author(s):

Teake P. Ettema ◽

Rose-Marie Dröes ◽

Jacomine de Lange ◽

Marcel E. Ooms ◽

Gideon J. Mellenbergh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Elderly Population ◽

The Elderly ◽

Literature Study ◽

Age Related ◽

Multidimensional Evaluation ◽

Specific Concept ◽

Definition Of ◽

The Individual

In order to conceptually define quality of life (QOL) in dementia, the literature on QOL in the elderly population, in chronic disease and in dementia was studied. Dementia is a progressive, age-related, chronic condition and to avoid omissions within the dementia-specific concept of QOL, a broad orientation was the preferred approach in this literature study. Adaptation is a major outcome in studies investigating interventions aimed at improving QOL in chronic conditions, but to date, it has not been used in the definition of QOL. It is argued that adaptation is an important indication of QOL in people with chronic diseases and therefore also in dementia. Some crucial issues in assessing dementia-related QOL that are relevant to clarify the continuing debate on whether QOL, particularly in dementia, can be measured at all, are discussed. Then the following conceptual definition is offered: dementia-specific QOL is the multidimensional evaluation of the person–environment system of the individual, in terms of adaptation to the perceived consequences of the dementia.

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Quality of Life in Glasgow: An Applied Geographical Analysis

Environment and Planning A Economy and Space ◽

10.1068/a181499 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 1499-1520 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

M Pacione

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Life Experience ◽

Life Quality ◽

The Elderly ◽

Life Forms ◽

Quality Of Life Indicators ◽

The City ◽

Detailed Work

The structure and distribution of quality of life forms a key area of research in human geography, with particular attention given to conditions at the disadvantaged end of the quality-of-life spectrum. To date, most work has focused on the national, regional, or interurban scale. However, whereas descriptive pattern identification and mapping is of value at the macroscale as a pointer to detailed work, policy-relevant quality-of-life indicators are more likely to be derived at the local scale and to be related to specific life concerns. In the present research, a multiscale multiindicator methodology is used to examine the structure and distribution of life quality in Glasgow. In a series of analyses in which objective and subjective indicators are employed at different geographic scales, the city-wide pattern of life quality is identified and a number of severely disadvantaged subareas isolated. Within one such subarea the quality-of-life experience of a particular social group, the elderly, is examined in detail. Application of the methodology in other cities could facilitate intercity and cross-cultural comparisons of quality-of-life variations within contemporary urban areas. Such investigations can also be of practical utility for decisionmakers seeking to define priorities for social policy.

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Eating Experiences of People with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study in Spain

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare8040512 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 512

Author(s):

Carmen Cipriano-Crespo ◽

Marta Rodríguez-Hernández ◽

Pablo Cantero-Garlito ◽

Lorenzo Mariano-Juárez

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Well Being ◽

Food Ingestion ◽

Perceived Burdensomeness ◽

Intervention Models ◽

Definition Of ◽

Functional Deficiency ◽

Made In

Background: Disability causes changes in the eating process, which is central to the definition of each individual’s social and psychological spaces. Methods: This is a qualitative study based on grounded theory. Interviews were carried out in clinical hospital settings and headquarters of several disability organisations. The study included 27 individuals, aged between 18–75 years. All participants had a disability that caused a functional deficiency in the occupational aspects of the eating process. Results: The respondents’ narratives were analysed through observations made in different contexts, allowing us to describe and understand the significance attributed by the participants to their reality and experiences. Three key themes emerged from the analysis: (1) waning bodies (assumption of a diminished corporality); (2) redefinition of food-related social spaces; and (3) perceived burdensomeness, shame, and loneliness. Conclusions: Assisted feeding tends to prioritise the nutritional component of food ingestion. However, cultural, social, and contextual factors have a critical impact on an individual’s well-being and quality of life. This study stresses the importance of re-addressing intervention models affecting differently-abled people and incorporating approaches that take into account the contextual aspects of occupational therapy.

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Implementación de un programa de formación a cuidadores de personas mayores con dependencia o discapacidad

Revista de la Facultad de Medicina ◽

10.15446/revfacmed.v63n3sup.47818 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 63 (3Sup) ◽

pp. 75-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nancy Stella Landinez Parra ◽

Imma Quitzel CaicedoMolina ◽

María Fernanda Lara Díaz ◽

Leonor Luna Torres ◽

Judy Costanza Beltrán Rojas

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Life Quality ◽

The Elderly ◽

Rank Test ◽

Quality Level ◽

Calidad De Vida ◽

The Times

ResumenAntecedentes.El incremento de personas mayores de 60 años en Colombia, cuya cifra representa el 10% del total de la población (1) secundario al aumento de la esperanza de vida, trae consigo nuevos desafíos en las políticas de salud y evidencia la necesidad de establecer nuevas estrategias de capacitación, especialmente en situaciones de dependencia y/o discapacidad en las cuales el cuidado de los adultos mayores está a cargo de un familiar quien asume el rol de cuidador informal. Lo anterior impacta negativamente su calidad de vida.Objetivo.Determinar el efecto generado en un grupo de cuidadores informales de personas mayores con la implementación de un curso de capacitación en la ciudad de BogotáMateriales y métodos.El proyecto incluyó cuatro fases: a) Caracterización inicial y establecimiento de línea de base, b) implementación del curso de formación, c) medición final que incluyo evaluación de calidad de vida, dependencia y satisfacción con el programa, y d) análisis de resultados obtenidos. Los resultados se analizaron mediante estadísticos descriptivos y para valorar las diferencias entre las mediciones se utilizó la prueba no paramétrica de rangos de Wilcoxon.Resultados.Inicialmente se observó un alto índice de sobrecarga de los cuidadores; al finalizar el programa se reportaron cambios positivos en calidad de vida, dependencia y mejor utilización de los tiempos dedicados al autocuidado y al cuidado de los otros.Conclusiones.Las estrategias dirigidas a la formación de cuidadores informales permiten el empoderamiento de los cuidadores y una menor dependencia por parte de la persona cuidada, lo que redunda en la mejora de la calidad de vida de los dos.Palabras clave: Cuidadores; Persona mayor; Calidad de vida; Dependencia (DeSC).SummaryBackground. The increase in the number of people over 60 years in Colombia, which represents 10% of the total population (1) secondary to increased life expectancy brings with it new challenges in health policy and highlights the need for establishing new training strategies, especially in situations of dependency and / or disability in which the care of the elderly is run by a family who assumes the role of informal caregiver. This condition has a negative impact in their quality of life.Objectives: To determine the effect caused in a group of informal caregivers of dependent elderly and/or disabled in Bogotá.Materials and methods: The project included four phases: (a) Initial characterization and establishment of baseline; (b) implementation of the training; (c) final assessment, which included measurement of quality of life, dependence and satisfaction with the program, and (d) analysis results. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and to assess the differences between measurements the nonparametric Wilcoxon rank test was used.Results: Initially a high index of overload in caregivers was observed. At the end of the program, positive changes in life quality, level of dependence and a better use of the times spending in self-care activities and elderly caring routines were observed.Conclusions: The strategies focusing on educating informal caregivers allow for their empowering and to lessen the level of dependence of the elder person being cared, which in turn increases the quality of life in both parts of the caring dyad.Keywords: Caregivers; Aged; Quality of life; Dependency (MeSH).

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