Factors Influencing the Quality of Life of the Elderly population: A Prospective Study on Community-Based Methods in Nepal

Abstract

This study explains how quality of life of elderly people is influenced by their physical, psychological, social, and environmental status. Nepal is currently experiencing demographic aging, with the elder population growing faster than the annual population growth rate. Understanding the subjectivity of quality of life (QOL) is essential for comprehending this concept. Social support enhances older individuals' sense of belonging, physical and psychological health, and overall well-being, which are crucial for a happy life. This study aims to assess the quality of life and its associated factors in the elderly population. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 elderly individuals aged over 60 years in Banepa Municipality, Kavre. A simple random sampling technique was used, and QOL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BRIEF questionnaire, which includes 26 questions. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews after obtaining informed consent and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The results showed that the majority of the elderly population reported fair QOL (75.6%), followed by good QOL (17.6%), and poor QOL (6.5%). There is a strong relationship between QOL and factors such as age group, marital status, education level, employment status, monthly income, living arrangement, chronic health conditions, medical treatment, and access to healthcare services. There were positive correlations between QOL and physical factors (r=0.918), psychological factors (r=0.841), social factors (r=0.655), and environmental factors (r=0.907). The study found that the most significant factor influencing the overall QOL index of older adults is their physical health, followed by psychological state, social activity participation, and environmental factors. The availability of healthcare services, social support, improved sleep patterns, and reduction of negative feelings are crucial for improving QOL in the elderly.