A Study of Quality of Life and Depression for the Elderly in Senior Welfare Center

Abstract

As Korean society is quickly aging and experiencing longer life-spans, there has been increasing interest in the quality of life of the elderly. Depression has been indicated as an significant factor in the later years of one's life. The purpose of this study is to seek ways to improve the quality of life of the elderly in senior welfare center as it examines the quality of life and the extent of depression in them. One-on-one interviews were conducted with 127 subjects from the senior welfare center from November, 2011 to January, 2012, using Korean versions of WHOQOL-BREF and the Beck Depression Inventory. Among the interviewees were 62 males and 65 females. The study showed that the quality of life measured 85.82(±16.35) points out of 130 and the extent of depression measured 9.45(±8.02) points. The quality of life showed significant differencies according to education, degree of health, type of health insurance, occupation, and financial independence; while the depression varied according to gender, education, degree of health, type of health insurance, occupation, means of daily living, financial independence and leisure activities. Significant correlation was shown statistically between quality of life and depression. It is recommended that local communities develop programs for the promotion of the aged health and active social participation as well as job creation for the elderly, in order to improve the quality of life.