QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG THE ELDERLY IN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS’ ELDERLY HOMES IN KUALA LUMPUR

Abstract

Introduction: There is an unprecedented increase in the population of the elderly globally, and Malaysia is anticipated to become an ageing nation in 2030. Maintaining health, social participation, reducing institutionalization, and improving quality of life of the elderly are public health challenges of the 21st century. Quality of life among elderly in Elderly Homes in Malaysia is under researched. Objective: To determine the level of quality of life and its associated factors among the Elderly in Elderly Homes in Kuala Lumpur. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study among 203 residents aged 60 years or more in eight randomly selected Elderly Homes in Kuala Lumpur in September 2014. Stratified simple random sampling was used to select participants. Study instruments included World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), Geriatric Depression Scale, Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support, and a questionnaire for Socio-demographic variables. Data collection was by face to face interview. Univariate and Multivariate analysis were used to determine associations, and P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean score of quality of life was 58.8 (±9.9), and 52.7% of respondents had poor quality of life. Females, those with lower level of education, poor socioeconomic status, less physically active, no outdoor activity, lived in ward accommodations, lived in a home for less than two years, those with hypertension, diabetes, history of stroke, hearing impairment, visual impairment, dental problem, chronic pain, falls, hospitalization, arthritis, depression, co-morbidity, poor self-rated health, those dissatisfied with their health and those with low levels of social support were more likely to have poor quality of life (P-value <0.05). Predictors of poor quality of life included level of education, socio-economic status, hearing impairment, visual impairment, chronic pain, depression, self-rated health, and social support. Conclusion: To attain optimal quality of life among the elderly in elderly homes, such institutions and policy makers have to take into account the multiple factors that affect quality of life in such homes. Better accommodation, health and welfare services, increase in physical activity, social support, public awareness of the challenges and ways to improve quality of life of the elderly, are actions that could yield positive results. Keywords: Elderly, Elderly Homes, Quality of Life, Kuala Lumpur.