INTRODUCTION:

The fastest growing population of India is elderly which was 56.7 million in 1991, 76 million in 2001 & is expected to grow to 150 million by 2025. The advent of modernization, industrialization, urbanization, occupational mobility, education and growth of individualistic philosophy has changed the traditional values that vested authority with elderly. For developing countries like, India the rapid growth in the number of older population presents issues, barely perceived as yet, that must be addressed if social and economic development is to proceed effectively.

The old age is a closing period of life span, the time when the individual looks back on life & trying to finish off his life course.

Old age is periods of slow or rapid decline and it gives rise to the belief that the individual has entered his “second childhood”. Kaur P. B. (1999)¹.

Quality of life at the individual level is determined by measurements such as happiness or sorrow, peace and restlessness, satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Moreover it is noted that satisfaction from life may vary between elders and youngsters or individuals living in different regions. Quality of life is a concept that deals with the life conditions of an individual and reflects the life flow. The life conditions of an individual are influenced by the environmental and cultural factors in society. In other words quality of the environment and the culture determines the quality of life of the individual.

The meaning characteristics and form of life changes as one grows older. At this point the fulfillment of the requirements and needs such as resting and relaxing after a long period of work, not lasting the ability to remain active and participation in activities, not losing the strength and ambition to continue tasks, even if most of the tasks cannot be realized not losing the meaning of life and thus refraining from disappointment, fear and feelings of guilt, may increase the life satisfaction of the individual in general. Gonen E. Mete E. (2005)².

Emphasis in the definition is on the subjective view of QOL, which is influenced by the individual’s previous life experiences, mental state, and personal expectations. QOL, however, is measurable.

The quality of life of the elderly is dependent on various factors such as physical health, psychological health, the living arrangement, level of independence, personal and social relationships and working capacity. Access to health and social care, home environment, transportation facilities and the ability to acquire new skills. “So understanding the quality of life of elderly means assessing and understanding these domains of life and its implications on their well being” Orley J. et al. (1998)3.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

Kant S. et. al. (2004)⁴. conducted a study in Ambedkar Nagar, resettlement colony in New Delhi, India, on quality of life among elderly persons, 233 elderly people participated in the study. Convenient sampling technique was adopted. The results showed that 65% of subject were illiterate, 78% were unemployed/housewives. Only 5% was skilled and 6% were unskilled laborers. More than 80% of subjects had no history of fall / accident, 14% had auditory disability, 19.7% had chronic cough, 33.5% had respiratory problems and 21.4% had history of chest pain. This study concluded that quality of life of the elderly is poor and so the health care service should routinely screen for the health status of elderly.

Gangadhar B. S. et. al. (2004)⁵. “Conducted a study in Gulbarga district of Karnataka, among elderly above 60 yrs from two villages and old homes on socio-cultural, psychological, economic, physical and health aspects of quality of life and life satisfaction” The study used life satisfaction index A and semi-structured interview schedule, informed interviews and case studies. The results showed that more than one fourth of the respondents own house land; continue to take up household activity; and involves in social activities. About fifty % of the respondents do not get recreation, feel lonely and isolated and three fourth of the respondents reported deteriorating physical fitness and health condition. A significant proportion of the elderly reported good relation with children and grand children. Those who do not have good relations with the young reported that their differences are due to opposing attitude of the young (21%), not productive or useful (19%), differences of opinion (2.7%), and different life style (3.2%).

Abhay Mudey et. al. (2011)⁶. “Conducted a study on all aspects of health status: life style, satisfaction, mental state or well-being together reflects the multidimensional nature of Quality of Life (QOL) in an individual” India has acquired the label of “an aging nation” with 7.7 percent of its population being more than 60 years old. Changes in population structure will have several implications for health, economic security, family life and well being of people. The present study was carried out with two-fold objectives to assess the difference of quality of life between rural and urban elderly population and to find out the association between the socio-demographic profile and quality of life of elderly population. The community based cross sectional study was conducted on 800 elderly subjects selected from urban (n= 400) and rural (n= 400) using multistage simple random technique. Interviews were conducted using pre-tested questionnaire by trained interviewers to collect data. The WHO-QOL BREF was used to assess the quality of life. The study showed that the elders living in the urban community reported significant lower level of quality of life in the domains of physical 51.2±3.6 and psychological 51.3±2.5 than the rural elderly populations. The rural elderly population reported significant lower level of quality of life in the domain of social relation 55.9±2.7 and environmental 57.1±3.2 than urban population. The difference between the quality of life in rural and urban elderly population is due to the difference in the socio-demographic factors, social resource, lifestyle behaviors and income adequacy.

Myo Myint Naing et. al. (2010)⁷. “Conducted a study to assess the quality of life of the elderly people in Einme Township, Irrawaddy Division, Myanmar, and factors related” A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 209 elderly aged 60 and over, who lived in Einme Township, Irrawaddy Division, Myanmar. Data were collected by using structured interview questionnaire from February 1 to 21, 2010. Statistics used for data analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, and Multiple regression analysis. In results, the majority of the elderly people (80.9%) had a moderate level of quality of life, followed by high level (17.2%) and low level (1.9%). The factors that were statistically significantly related to the quality of life of elderly were education level, current illness, self esteem, family income, family relationship and social support. In addition, self-esteem and family relationship could significantly predict the quality of life of elderly by 53.3%. Self-esteem had the highest predictive power of quality of life. In conclusion the factors related to quality of life of elderly people were self-esteem and family relationship. To promote quality of life of the elderly, responsible organizations should establish activities that enhance elderly self-esteem and promote good family relationship.

OBJECTIVES:

· To assess the quality of life among elderly.

· To find out the association between the quality of life among elderly with selected demographic variables.

METHODOLOGY:

Research Approach:

The research approach for the study is the exploratory survey research approach aimed at finding out the quality of life among elderly. In a view of the problem and to accomplish objectives, the exploratory research approach was found to be most appropriate.

Research Design:

The research design selected for the present study was a non experimental exploratory research design.

Population:

The target population for the study includes 60-80 years old elderly people and accessible population includes selected 60-80 years elderly people in selected area of Bhilai, Durg (C.G.).

Sampling Technique:

In the present study purposive sampling technique is used.

Sample Size:

In the present study sample size was total no. of 100 elderly people at sector – 7, Bhilai, Durg (C.G.).

Development and Description of Tool:

In this study the tools used for data collection were:

Section I – This section consists of items which deal with socio demographic variables of the subject’s i.e. age, gender, religion, marital status, education, occupational status, income status, family and no. of children.

Section II – The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) -BREF. A standardized tool is used. The WHOQOL-BREF instrument comprises 26 items, which measure the following broad domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. The WHOQOL-BREF is a shorter version of the original instrument that may be more convenient for use in large research studies or clinical trials.

RESULTS:

Section – I: Description of socio – demographic characteristics.

The majority of elderly people 41% were in the age group of 60-65 years. Most of 64% elderly people were female. Highest 50% elderly people were Hindus. Majority 68% elderly people were married. Most of 33% were educated up to secondary. Most of them elderly people were unemployed / home makers that are 51%. Regarding source of income maximum 41% were having business. Highest 44% elderly people were in nuclear family. Majority 43% elderly people had more than two children.

Section – II: The findings related to quality of life among elderly people.

The findings related to quality of life among elderly people with frequency, percentage, Mean, Mean percentage and S.D. This table depicts that in very poor and poor quality of life, any elderly people are not falling, in moderate quality of life 20 elderly people are falling and their percentage is 20%, mean is 73.85, mean percentage is 56.81%, and S.D. is 1.69, in good quality of life 66 elderly people are falling and their percentage is 66%, mean is 88.58, mean percentage is 68.14%, and S.D. is 2.97, in very good quality of life 14 elderly people are falling and their percentage is 14%, mean is 107.71, mean percentage is 82.85%, and S.D. is 3.75.

Section – III: Association between quality of life with selected variable.

The association of age, marital status, education, occupational status, and source of income with the quality of life of elderly people; The age where, df = 4, chi – square value is c2=61.71(P=0.001) (at the 5% level of significance) it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people, depicts that as age is growing, quality of life is declining significantly. For gender df = 2, chi – square value is c2 = 0.97 (P=0.61), thus this demographic is not significantly associated with quality of life. For religion df = 6, chi – square value is c2=8.98 (P=0.10), thus this demographic is not significantly associated with quality of life. The marital status, where df = 4, chi – square value is c2=27.20 (P=0.01) (at the 5% level of significance), it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people, as married are having better quality of life than widow and separated. The education, where df = 4, chi – square value is c2=21.29 (P=0.002) (at the 5% level of significance), it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people. The occupational status, where df = 4, chi – square value is c2=28.26 (P=0.001) (at the 5% level of significance), it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people. The source of income, where df = 6, chi – square value is c2=52.14 (P=0.001) (at the 5% level of significance), it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people. For family df = 4, chi – square value is c2= 6.38 (P=0.17), thus is not significantly associated with quality of life among elderly people. For no. for children df = 6, chi – square value is c2= 0.52 (P=0.97), thus is not significantly associated with quality of life among elderly people.

In conclusion this type of association was calculated by using Pearson chi – square test. The chi – square values show that there is no significant association with gender, religion, family, and no. of children with the quality of life of elderly people. Only age, marital status, education, occupational status, and source of income are significantly associated with quality of life of elderly people.

DISCUSSION:

The findings of the present study have been discussed in accordance with the objective of the research and literature reviewed. Perceived quality of life among elderly people is in accordance to their age, gender, religion, marital status, education, occupational status, source of income, family, and number of children.

Section –I: Distribution of subjects according to socio – demographic variables is analyzed using frequency and percentage.

· Findings depict that majority of elderly people 41.00% were in the age group of 60-65 years.

This finding is consistent with the finding of Kamlesh Joshi et al. (2003)⁸. “Health-related quality of life among the elderly in northern India”. Majority of elderly people 33% were in 60 – 64 years.

· Maximum 64.00 % elderly people were female. This finding is consistent with the finding of Kamlesh Joshi et al. (2003)⁸. “Health-related quality of life among the elderly in northern India”. Majority of elderly people 51% were female. This finding is consistent with the finding of Yu-San Chang et al. (2006)⁹. “Quality of Life in Elderly in Taiwan”. Majority of elderly people 55% were female.

· Maximum 50.00% elderly people were Hindus. This finding is consistent with the finding of Kamlesh Joshi et al. (2003)⁸. “Health-related quality of life among the elderly in northern India”. Majority of elderly people 73% were Hindus.

· Maximum 68% elderly people were married. This finding is consistent with the finding of Kamlesh Joshi et al. (2003)⁸. “Health-related quality of life among the elderly in northern India”. Majority of elderly people 63% were married. This finding is consistent with the finding of Yu-San Chang et al. (2006)⁹. “Quality of Life in Elderly in Taiwan”. Majority of elderly people 62.5%were married.

· Maximum 33.00% were educated up to secondary. This finding is inconsistent with the finding of Kamlesh Joshi et al. (2003)⁸. “Health-related quality of life among the elderly in northern India”. Majority of elderly people were not educated up to secondary education.

· Most of them elderly people were unemployed / home makers that are 51.00%. This finding is consistent with the finding of Kamlesh Joshi et al. (2003)⁸. “Health-related quality of life among the elderly in northern India”. Majority of elderly people 44% were in house hold work. This finding is consistent with the finding of Yu-San Chang et al. (2006)⁹. “Quality of Life in Elderly in Taiwan”. Majority of elderly people 95%were home makers.

· Regarding source of income maximum 41.00% were having business. This finding is inconsistent with the finding of Kamlesh Joshi et al. (2003)⁸. “Health-related quality of life among the elderly in northern India”..minority of elderly people 3% were in business.

· Maximum 44.00% elderly people were in nuclear family. This finding is inconsistent with the finding of Kamlesh Joshi et al. (2003)⁸. “Health-related quality of life among the elderly in northern India”. Majority of elderly people 73% were in joint family.

· Maximum 43.00% elderly people had more than two children.

Section – II: The first objective of the study that is to assess the quality of life among elderly people by frequency, %, mean, mean% and S.D.

The findings of the study in table 5, figure 5 revealed that the quality of life among the elderly people depicted that very poor and poor are 0%, moderate are 20%, good are 66%, and very good are 14%.

This finding is inconsistent with the finding of Myo Myint Naing et al. (2010)⁷. “To study the quality of life of the elderly people in Einme Township, Irrawaddy division, Myanmar”. Where depicted that low level was 1.9%, moderate was 80.9%, and high level was 17.2%.

Section – III: The second objective was to find out the association between the quality of life among elderly people with selected demographic variables.

· Findings in table 6, figure 6(a – e) depict that the age where, df = 4, chi – square value is c2=61.71 it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people, as age is growing quality of life is declining significantly.

· The marital status, where df = 4, chi – square value is c2=27.20 it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people, as married are having better quality of life than widow and separated.

· The education, where df = 4, chi – square value is c2=21.29 it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people.

This finding is consistent with the finding of Bhatia et al. (2007)¹⁰ conducted a study in 10 villages of district Ludhiana, Punjab, reported that Quality of Life of elderly people was found to be significantly associated with education.

· The occupational status, where df = 4, chi – square value is c2=28.26 it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people.

· The source of income, where df = 6, chi – square value is c2=52.14, it is significantly associated with quality of life in elderly people.

· Remaining demographics are not significantly associated with quality of life among elderly people as for gender df = 2, chi – square value is c2 = 0.97, for religion df = 6, , chi – square value is c2=8.98, for family df = 4, chi – square value is c2= 6.38, for no. of children df = 6, , chi – square value is c2= 0.52.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The study needs to be replicated in a large sample in different settings for making broader generalizations.

A survey of the factors that influence the quality of life of the elderly can be undertaken.

A study to compare the quality of life of the institutionalized elderly and community living elderly can be carried out.

Also comparative study can be done on rural and urban elderly people.

A similar study can be done in individual domain separately using multiple tools to measure quality of life rather than using a single scale.

Further studies can be done on large samples of elderly people.

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Received on 23.03.2019 Modified on 27.04.2019

Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2019; 9(3):341-345.

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2996.2019.00073.9