Older people living alone in Shanghai: A questionnaire survey of their life experience

Abstract

Globally the number of older people living alone is increasing. Little is known about the life experience of older people living alone in Mainland China. This study aimed to explore older people's experience regarding different components of their lives. A cross-sectional survey of 387 older people aged 60 years and above and living alone in two communities in Shanghai was conducted from April to July 2015. A structured questionnaire including 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, Activity of Daily Living Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale version 3, Social Support Rate Scale and Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to assess the health status, loneliness, social support, quality of life and demographic information. A total of 15.7% of the participants rated their health as poor with 56.8% reporting chronic diseases and 26.9% reporting being depressed. A total of 71.1% of the participants reported a high level of functional ability. However, 54.3% and 21.7% of the participants reported a moderately and moderately high level of loneliness respectively. The median of SSRS was 30 and the mean of Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire was 120.2, indicating a lower level of social support and quality of life. There were statistically significant differences in health, loneliness, social support and quality of life across the participants with different characteristics. Interventions to improve the health status, reduce loneliness, increase social support and maintain or improve quality of life of older people living alone in Shanghai could be developed and implemented. Potential interventions include providing frequent home care services, early detection of depression, encouraging more contacts from children and other family members, and providing support from other sources.

Association between living arrangement and quality of life for older adults in the community

“…Regardless of the type of living arrangement, social support promotes significant engagement and emotional support, as well as it avoids social isolation (14) , therefore, being able to play a mediating role between the living arrangement and QoL. Results of a research study conducted with Chinese older adults living alone suggest that social support can mitigate the negative effects on QoL (9) . In another study also carried out in China, urban older adults who lived alone were the most vulnerable to the worst health-related quality of life scores, and social interaction reduced this negative effect (14) .…”

Analysis of The Demand for Older Adult Care Services and Related Influencing Factors Among Older Adults Living Alone in China

“…Traditionally, Chinese older adults tend to rely on family members when facing di culties [32] and their major sources of support are spouses and children, with other sources of support playing less important roles. However, the resources and levels of support may be reduced in widowed older adults [1]. In our study, 92.6% of the elderly living alone were widowed, thus, they may still prefer that their children live nearby in case instrumental and emotional support is needed.…”

Analysis of the Demand for Older Adult Care Services and Related Influencing Factors among Older Adults Living Alone in China

“…Traditionally, Chinese older adults tend to rely on family members when facing di culties [31] and their major sources of support are spouses and children, with other sources of support playing less important roles. However, the resources and levels of support may be reduced in widowed older adults [1]. In our study, 92.6% of the elderly living alone were widowed, thus, they may still prefer that their children live nearby in case instrumental and emotional support is needed.…”