Gopalakrishnan Netuveli1, David Blane. 1. Department of Primary Care and Social Medicine, Imperial College, London W6 8RP, UK g.netuveli@imperial.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The quality of life of elderly people has become relevant with the demographic shift that has resulted in greying of population. There are indications that concepts and concerns related to quality of life in older ages are different from the general population. METHODS: A narrative review of selected literature. RESULTS: Quality of life is described often with both objective and subjective dimensions. The majority of the elderly people evaluate their quality of life positively on the basis of social contacts, dependency, health, material circumstances and social comparisons. Adaptation and resilience might play a part in maintaining good quality of life. Although there are no cultural differences in the subjective dimension of quality of life, in the objective dimension such differences exist. Two major factors to be considered with regard to quality of life in old age are dementia and depression. DISCUSSION: With all other influences controlled, ageing does not influence quality of life negatively; rather a long period of good quality of life is possible. Therefore, the maintenance and improvement quality of life should be included among the goals of clinical management.
BACKGROUND: The quality of life of elderly people has become relevant with the demographic shift that has resulted in greying of population. There are indications that concepts and concerns related to quality of life in older ages are different from the general population. METHODS: A narrative review of selected literature. RESULTS: Quality of life is described often with both objective and subjective dimensions. The majority of the elderly people evaluate their quality of life positively on the basis of social contacts, dependency, health, material circumstances and social comparisons. Adaptation and resilience might play a part in maintaining good quality of life. Although there are no cultural differences in the subjective dimension of quality of life, in the objective dimension such differences exist. Two major factors to be considered with regard to quality of life in old age are dementia and depression. DISCUSSION: With all other influences controlled, ageing does not influence quality of life negatively; rather a long period of good quality of life is possible. Therefore, the maintenance and improvement quality of life should be included among the goals of clinical management.
Authors: Ali Ezzati; Andrea R Zammit; Mindy J Katz; Carol A Derby; Molly E Zimmerman; Richard B Lipton Journal: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord Date: 2019 Jul-Sep Impact factor: 2.703
Authors: Jennifer King; Lindsey Yourman; Cyrus Ahalt; Catherine Eng; Sara J Knight; Eliseo J Pérez-Stable; Alexander K Smith Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2012-01-30 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: R Artacho; C Lujano; A B Sanchez-Vico; C Vargas Sánchez; J González Calvo; P R Bouzas; M D Ruiz-López Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2014 Impact factor: 4.075
Authors: Sandra B Dunbar; Brittany Butts; Carolyn M Reilly; Rebecca A Gary; Melinda K Higgins; Erin P Ferranti; Steven D Culler; Javed Butler Journal: Nurs Outlook Date: 2013-10-02 Impact factor: 3.250
Authors: Claudio Bilotta; Ann Bowling; Alessandra Casè; Paola Nicolini; Sabrina Mauri; Manuela Castelli; Carlo Vergani Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2010-06-08 Impact factor: 3.186