Epidemiological study on quality of life among retired elderly population in Hefei

  Objective   To study the present situation and the affecting factors of quality of life(QOL)among retired elderly people in Hefei.

  Methods   A cross-sectio nal, epidemiological study was conducted with the participation of 633 elderly subjects, aged 60 years and over, selected randomly from 15 stratified sampling units.Data were collected through individual interviews using standardized health-related QOL questionnaires and a socio-demographic health information form.

  Results   Of the 633 subjects, 70.6% had chronic diseases or disabilities, and 71.9% had perfect activities of daily life, and 74.7% were satisfied with their fitness.The average scores of loneliness, Life Satisfaction Index A(LSIA), social support, and family function were 37.85, 10.08, 33.95, and 23.80 respectively.The results of multiple variables analysis indicated that lonelness, family function, social support, chronic diseases, economic situation, diet and nutrition, sleeping, exercise, occupation, age, and so on.were important determinants of life satisfactio n.Loneliness, social support, sleep and exercise were the three powerful predicting variables of life satisfaction.

  Conclusion   It was the future directions for elderly health care and social service to pay attention to elderly psychological and mental health care, and make use of the function of society and family in improving the QOL of the elderly people.