Kobe Journal of Medical Sciences, 1998

TI: Factors affecting QOL of the home-bound elderly disabled.

AU: Takemasa-S

AD: Faculty of Health Science, Kobe University School of Medicine.

SO: Kobe-J-Med-Sci. 1998 Jun; 44(3): 99-114

ISSN: 0023-2513

PY: 1998

LA: ENGLISH

CP: JAPAN

AB: The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors affecting the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly home-bound patients. Data were collected from 56 chronically disabled elderly persons (mean age of 76.7 years) who needed a long-term home-based care. They were assessed on QOL, range of activity, functional capacity, and capacity of family care functioning as well as socio-economic condition. The QOL was evaluated by using Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGC Morale Scale). The activities of daily living (ADL) and handicaps were evaluated by the Barthel index and the ESCROW profile, respectively. The capacity of family care functioning was also recorded according to the "Family Care Scale" developed by Hamamura. As a result, there was a significant difference between PGC Morale Scale score and Barthel index score (P < 0.05), and we found a negative correlation between PGC Morale Scale score and ESCROW score (P < 0.05). It was also revealed that the factors affecting the QOL of the home-bound elderly disabled were determined by the motivation, functional capacity, and capacity of family care functioning (P < 0.05). These results suggest that in order to improve their QOL, ADL must be improved, therefore, rehabilitation should be continued to maintain their function after discharging from hospitals and that we should take these factors into consideration, such as living environments and social conditions of the family care. The results also indicate how the patient's independence in the daily life influences social and economic status, and consequently it affects the quality of life.