Physical, nutritional and psychological states interfere with health related quality of life of institutionalized elderly

Abstract

Purpose Nursing home elders experience many problems that may influence their quality of life, in example of cognitive, mental, nutritional and physical disabilities. Concerning about elders’ wellbeing may help them living with dignity. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of institutionalized elders in a capital city of Brazilian Northeast. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 193 institutionalized elders living in the metropolitan region of João Pessoa (Brazil). The following variables were tested regarding their association with the elders’ HRQoL: Socio-demographic characteristics; Performance of daily-living activities, Frailty status, Cognitive status, Nutritional status, Self-perception of oral health and Depression status. Hierarchical multiple linear and logistic regressions analyses were performed in order to assess the impact of each independent variable on HRQoL, considering a significance level of 5%. Results The mean (SD) and the median of HRQoL of institutionalized elders were 62.69(15.24) and 62, respectively. Elderly were mostly (72.02%) female, being those with 80 years and over the more frequent (54.92%). Dependence on daily activities (OR=2.06, 95%CI=1.32-3.23), frailty (OR=1.68, 95%CI=1.15-2.45) and depression (OR=2.22, 95%CI=1.51-3.27) were statistically associated with poor HRQoL (p<0.05). Other variables have no significance within the adjusted model. Conclusions Dependent, frail and depressed institutionalized elderly presented a greater chance to have a worse HRQoL. It is necessary to plan and implement actions that would reduce the factors associated with the low quality of life of institutionalized elderly.

Relationship between stigma and quality of life in people with pulmonary tuberculosis in East Java, Indonesia

“…This is related to physical health problems, psychological status, level of freedom, and social and environmental relationships (22,26). Individuals can be said to have a good quality of life if known aspects of life that the individual is not easily sick accelerate the healing process and become an important consideration in the effort to prevent the appearance of the disease (20,37). Several factors affect it, such as gender, age, education level, employment, income, marital status, drug compliance, and the social stigma in families and residential environments (42,53).…”

“…This causes tuberculosis patients to experience prolonged fear and anxiety (17)(18)(19). Anxiety in tuberculosis patients due to social stigma causes psychological disorders associated with lower enjoyment of life and demotivation, which implies lower functional capacity and quality of life (20,21). Therefore, the quality of life in tuberculosis patients is essential because it will affect several aspects of life (22)(23)(24)(25).…”

Pharmacist Intervention in Portuguese Older Adult Care

“…Most older people want to stay in their own homes as they age. Moving may present mental and social challenges and can lead to physical and emotional distress [ 42 ]. If the elder has sufficient autonomy and has no life-threatening health problems, in-home support services, day- or night-care centres, or community centres may offer the needed care.…”