Quality of Life and its Related Factors among Elderlies Living In Nursing Homes

Elderly residents of nursing homes are one of the most vulnerable elderly populations and addressing the quality of these people’s life is one of the most challenging health issues in this century.The aim of our study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) and its related factors among elderlies living in Charmahal va Bakhtiyari nursing homes. In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 87 elderlies living in Charmahal va Bakhtiyari nursing homes were recruited by census. Data was collected by Short Form Quality of Life (SF-36) and then analyzed by independent t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and regression analysis using SPSS-PC (v.15). The mean score of total QOl was 41.56±18.59 and most participants scored lower than 50 for overall quality of life and each of its subscales. The highest and lowest quality of life standard deviation and mean score was associated with “physical performance” (47.70±20.55) and “Emotional role playing” (36.78±27.71) subscales. Also quality of life was associated with age, gender, educational level and satisfying with nursing homes (P<0.05). Moreover, QOL was mostly related with age (β=-0.537, p=0.000). The Quality of life of elderly residents of nursing homes was low, especially in emotional role playing subscale. Moreover, the quality of life of older ones and illiterate participants, women and those with lower satisfaction with nursing homes was lower. Accordingly, designing and performing appropriate training and supportive interventions to promote these elderly people’s QOL are recommended.