Health Related Quality of Life in the Elderly in Kashan

The aim of this study was to determine the eightfold aspects of quality of life in the elderly population of the city of Kashan (Iran) and to evaluate their welfare, health and therapuetic needs. This research is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of 60 years and older individuals in the city of Kashan, who were living with their families. The subjects were 389 elderly individuals (196 males and 193 females) who were selected using random sampling. Data were collected using Short Form-36 Item Quality of Life Questionnaire. The score for the quality of physical function was 59 (57 for females and 66 for males), and the score for general understanding of health in the elderly was 60.7 (55.5 for females and 65.7 for males). The score for physical role was 51 (47.5 for females, 54.5 for males) the score for social activity was 78.2 (78 for females, 78.4 for males) and the score for emotional role was 61.8 (61.2 for females, 62.4 for males). The score for mental health was 94.4 (91.4 for females, 97.3 for males), and the score for physical pain was 61.7 (57.2 for females, 66.1 for males). The elderly population in the city of Kashan enjoy a higher quality of life in comparison with their peers in other parts of Iran.