scholarly journals Family Orchards and Health-Related Quality of Life in the Elderly. A Protocol for a Study in Las Hurdes (Spain) Based on an Ethnographic Approach

Author(s):  
Miguel Madruga ◽  
Jorge Carlos-Vivas ◽  
María Mendoza-Muñoz ◽  
José Carmelo Adsuar ◽  
Lorenzo Mariano-Juárez ◽  
...  

Demographic evolution is resulting on an aged population increment in Spain. This growth has been more relevant in rural areas, where the population has traditionally lived under hard socio-economic conditions and leveraging the natural resources such as food from family orchards to survive. Studies that have investigated the possibilities and uses of these traditional family orchards today in relation to health-related quality of life in the elderly are scarce. Based on a previous ethnography, this mixed research aims to describe a protocol that will evaluate the effects of the use of traditional family orchards as a daily resource on fitness and quality of life of the elderly population in Las Hurdes (Spain). Body composition, fitness, mental health, health-related quality of life, and activity-related behaviors of participants will be assessed. The outcomes of this study might enable us to design further tailored physical exercise-based interventions using family orchards as an adequate resource to improve the health-related quality of life and fitness of the elderly in rural areas. In addition, the study detailed here might also be applied to other similar rural areas in Spain and worldwide.

2021 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
pp. 81-89
Author(s):  
Tran Quynh Anh ◽  
Pham Thi Thu Trang ◽  
Do Vu Minh Ha

Caring for an aging population is an emerging public health problem, and the quality of life (QoL) among the elderly is a significant concern. Our study aimed to describe the health - related quality of life (HRQoL) and factors associated with good HRQoL among the elderly in three communes of Hanam province in Vietnam. A cross - sectional design was used with a sample size of 479 participants aged 60 and above. HRQoL was measured using the SF - 36. Comparison of characteristics between those with high HRQoL and those with low HRQoL was done using Pearson chi - square tests. Results were reported using descriptive statistics and odds ratios with 95% CI (Confidence Interval). Many of the elderly had moderate HRQoL (41.3%), and elderly men were more likely to have higher QoL in terms of physical health and psychological health than elderly women. Our findings also indicated that some factors including older age, low educational level, those not living with their spouse, poor financial condition, having more than two health problems and possessing unhealthy drinking behaviors were significantly positive associated with HRQoL. Findings suggest interventions are needed to improve the quality of life among the elderly in rural areas of Vietnam.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 925-939
Author(s):  
Hui Wu ◽  
Huijun Li ◽  
Haibin Li ◽  
Yu Ding ◽  
Chongjian Wang ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Jiyoung Song ◽  
Eunwon Lee

This study aimed to describe the health-related quality of life of elderly women with experience in fall treatment as well as to prepare basic data for the development of interventions to improve the quality of life for this group. The study was based on raw data from the 2019 Korea Community Health Survey. Using the SPSS program, the characteristics of the subjects were tested by frequency, percentage, and chi-square test. To establish the impact of fall experience on the health-related quality of life of elderly women, the OR and 95% CI were calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis. Of the 4260 people surveyed, 44.7% of the elderly women said they had a high quality of life, whereas 55.3% of the elderly women said they had a low quality of life. A younger age was associated with a better-rated health-related quality of life. Those who lived in a city and had a high level of education tended to describe a high quality of life. The quality of life was considered high by those who exercised, but low by those who were obese or diabetic. The results of this study can lead to a better understanding of the experiences of elderly women who have experienced falls, and they can be used as basic data for the development of related health programs.


Author(s):  
Raditya Wratsangka ◽  
Rully Ayu Nirmalasari Haryadi Putri

Anemia is a global health problem with an extremely high prevalence and occurring in nearly 25% of the world population, particularly in the elderly group. Currently Indonesia is facing a rapid growth of the elderly population, with around 21 million elderly (8.2% of the total population), that is projected to increase to 33.7 million (11.8%) in the year 2025. Anemia in the elderly is frequently neglected, although the facts show that low hemoglobin concentration is an important marker of physiological decline and functional limitations. Although the factor of intrinsic aging may cause low hemoglobin concentration, anemia in the elderly is known to have a wide range w88ith regard to etiology, underlying disorders, and  possible mechanisms, such that it should be clinically followed up. Whatever its causes or underlying pathophysiological, anemia in the elderly has been proven to play a role in their morbidity and mortality, and may decrease their quality of life, that comprises all aspects of physical, mental, and social health, known as health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The impact of anemia on HRQoL has been studied in various populations, and most studies report the presence of an association between HRQoL and anemia in elderly individuals, which on the subscale level is particularly associated with physical health. Early diagnosis of anemia is important to prevent aggravation of the condition, to retard the progress of the disease, and to improve the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the patient. Prior to determining the treatment plan, the primary diagnosis and the comorbidities, especially treatable disorders, had better be identified first. The available data show that the overall prognosis will improve for anemia in patients with well-managed and corrected chronic disorders.


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