Quality of life among older people in Sweden receiving help from informal and/or formal helpers at home or in special accommodation
TL;DR: A need for greater help with ADLs, and a higher number of self-reported diseases and complaints determined low quality of life, whilst a social network (contact with more than three people) and a greater age determined high QoL.
Abstract: The present study describes and compares quality of life (QoL) and factors which predict QoL among people aged 75 years and over who receive help with activities of daily living (ADLs) from formal and/or informal helpers. The subjects were living at home or in special accommodation in Sweden. A postal questionnaire was sent to a randomly selected and age-stratified sample of 8500 people. The response rate was 52.8% (n = 4337), and 1247 people [mean age (+/- SD) = 86.4 +/- 5.9 years] received help and indicated who helped them with ADLs. The findings suggest that a greater age, being a woman, being a widow/widower, a higher number of health-related complaints, needing more help with ADLs and a lower QoL were found among those receiving help in special accommodation in comparison with those receiving help at home. The extent of help was highest among those receiving help in special accommodation. Having help with ADLs every day at home indicated having help from both informal and formal helpers, while respondents receiving help from only informal or only formal helpers received the smallest amount of help with ADLs. A need for greater help with ADLs, and a higher number of self-reported diseases and complaints determined low QoL, whilst a social network (contact with more than three people) and a greater age determined high QoL. However, who the helpers were did not have a significant influence on QoL; it was the extent of help with ADLs that influenced QoL negatively and the density of the social network that influenced QoL positively.
Citations
More filters
Journal Article•
TL;DR: It was shown that age, gender, financial situation and receiving care and service or not, influenced the way the respondents viewed prioritisation and resource allocation, while housing, grade of dependency and HRQoL seemed to have limited influence.
Abstract: The aim of this thesis was to investigate older people's views and experience of prioritisation and resource allocation in health care, which is important because older people are the group that use public health care and service most. The aim was also to investigate differences in the view of prioritisation and resource allocation in relation to age, gender, housing, health-related quality of life, financial situation and degree of dependency between the participants receiving and those not receiving care and service. A further aim was to describe older people's reasoning about prioritisation in health care. The sample was identified in a longitudinal cohort study in southern Sweden called Good Ageing in Skane (GAS), 902 participants not receiving care and service, aged 60?93 years, and 146 participants receiving care and service, aged 66?100 years. Data were collected in personal interviews based on a questionnaire. The total sample was divided into the age groups young-old (60?75 years), old-old (76?84 years) and oldest old (85?100 years). Quantitative descriptive statistics, comparative statistics and multinomial and multiple logistic regression analyses as well as qualitative analyses were used when analysing the data.
Eighty-one percent of the participants not receiving care and service and 85 % of the participants receiving care and service did not want age to be a criterion for prioritisation (Papers I and III) but their reasoning revealed that they experienced that being old meant low priority (Paper IV). In their reasoning the participants saw prioritisation as a necessity but also emphasised that all people are of equal value and that everyone should have the same rights to health care regardless of age (Paper IV). It was clearly stated that the participants wanted physicians to decide who should be prioritised (Papers I and III). The findings also showed that the oldest-old and men prioritised younger people to a higher extent than the other two age groups, while women prioritised older patients to a higher extent (Paper I). The participants not receiving care and service were furthermore reluctant to give priority to treatment for lifestyle-related diseases than participants receiving care and service (Framework). The participants? reasoning in relation to the willingness to pay for treatment revealed that they experienced that buying treatment requires wealth (Paper IV). Most of the participants not receiving care and service (63 %) but only 48 % of participants receiving care and service wanted to pay ?1100 to get cataract surgery at once instead of being on a waiting list for 18 months, but significantly fewer participants receiving care and service actually had access to ?1500 (p<0.001) (Framework). Women were also less willing to pay for treatment than men, which also seemed to be associated with a worse economic situation (Paper II).
The results showed that older people did not emphasise age as a criterion for prioritisation, which is in contrast to earlier studies including younger people. This thesis further showed that age, gender, financial situation and receiving care and service or not, influenced the way the respondents viewed prioritisation and resource allocation, while housing, grade of dependency and HRQoL seemed to have limited influence.
5 citations
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: A large number of older adults are often faced with the prospect of living with chronic heart disease, including severe CVD, and is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Western society.
Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in this country, underlying over 700,000 deaths per year (American Heart Association. Cardiovascular disease statistics: American Heart Association, 2004). CVD prevalence increases dramatically with advanced age, hence significant CVD is present in over 70% of people 75 years of age or older, and is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Western society. 84.7% of people who die of CVD are 65 years of age or older (American Heart Association. Cardiovascular disease statistics: American Heart Association, 2004; Bild et al. J Am Geriatr Soc 41(10):1047–1056, 1993). With improved survival from acute cardiac events, older adults are often faced with the prospect of living with chronic heart disease, including severe CVD. Besides its obvious effects on physical well-being, CVD causes significant psychological, social, and economic hardships (Smith and Mensah Ethn (Dis Summer) 13(2 Suppl 2):S77–S80, 2003; Miller and Missov Cardiol Clin 19(4):547–555, 2001; Rich J Am Geriatr Soc 45(8):968–974, 1997; Haan et al. J Am Geriatr Soc 45(6):667–674, 1997; Mangano J Card Surg 10(4 Suppl):366–368, 1995; Manton World Health Stat Q 41(3–4):255–266, 1988) and contributes to depression and psychiatric problems (Miller and Missov Cardiol Clin 19(4):547–555, 2001; Rich J Am Geriatr Soc 45(8):968–974, 1997; Haan et al. J Am Geriatr Soc 45(6):667–674, 1997; Ayanian et al. JAMA 274(22):1767–1770, 1995; Bastone and Kerns Ann Behav Med 17(4):324–330, 1995; Jones et al. Psychophysiology 22(4):480–487, 1985; Ruberman et al. N Engl J Med 311(9):552–559, 1984; Engebretson et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc 31(Suppl 2):216–223, 1998; Drexler et al. Am Heart J 126(3 Pt 2):761–764, 1993; Polidori et al. Aging (Milano) 13(3):231–239, 2001; Guo et al. J Am Geriatr Soc 45(6):701–705, 1997.
5 citations
Dissertation•
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: The aim of this thesis was to investigate old people's care and quality of life during the last period of life, but also to investigate their own and next-of-kin's experience of this phase, showing that older peoples?
Abstract: The aim of this thesis was to investigate old people's care and quality of life during the last period of life, but also to investigate their own and next-of-kin's experience of this phase. The thesis is based on four studies using separate samples. The sample (n=1198) in study I was drawn from the care and services part of the sub-study ?Good Aging in Skane? (GAS). The criteria for inclusion in study I were: being 75 years and older having died during the years 2001?2004 and having received public care and services at home or in special accommodation. The study sample in study II comprised 411 people being 75 years and older of whom fifty of the respondents (the study group) had died one year after data collection, the 361 survivors were considered a comparison group. In study III, 17 people aged 75 years or older, who received municipal help and/or care and had a life-threatening disease and/or received palliative care, were interviewed. In study IV 17 next-of-kin's of people aged 75 years and older who had recently died and had received help and/or care from the municipality in the last phase of life, were interviewed. Quantitative descriptive statistics, comparative statistics and logistic regression analysis, but also qualitative content analysis, were used when analysing the data.
The results showed that in the last year of life, 82% of those living at home and 50% of those living in special accommodation were hospitalised. The results also showed that those living at home and those with several hospital stays more often died in hospital than those living in special accommodation and those with fewer hospitals stay. More visits to physicians in outpatient care predicted death in hospital, while living in special accommodation and PADL dependency predicted death outside hospital (Paper I). The results in paper II showed that the study group had a lower QoL than the comparison group. Factors that effected the quality of life negatively were more admissions to hospital and a larger number of health complaints. The analysis showed that factors predicting mortality were older age and more health complaints. The older persons? experience of their situation could be understood as Turning inwards to come to peace with the past, the present and approaching death while being trapped by health complaints. Six categories embraced the experience of aspects that constitute a good life in the last phase of life; Maintaining dignity, Enjoying small things, Feelings of ?being at home?, Being in the hands of others, trying to adjust, Still being important for other people and Completing life while facing death (Paper III). The next of kin's experience of this situation could be understood as Being a companion in the transition towards an inevitable death feeling of having the major responsibility and needing to be acknowledged by professionals, which included the categories: Being a companion on the path to death; Focusing on the needs of the dying person, and making adjustments to everyday life; Feeling the major responsibility, and Gaining strength from support.
The results showed that older peoples? last phase of life is coloured by health complaints and frequent visits to hospital, which in turn affects their quality of life. Their own experience of this situation was being in the hands of several care providers, and trying to adjust to the situation. To provide high quality care in this phase it is important to increase the co-operation between various care providers. It also seems important for older people to have the possibility to enjoy the small things in life, being able to still be involved in the world around, and to be supported to complete life in order to achieve peace of mind. As the next-of-kin are involved in the care and are emotionally affected by the situation, their needs for support should also be acknowledged. This means they need to be seen by the professionals as well as by others around in order to retain their sense of participation, even when professional care providers are involved.
5 citations
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In order to be able to provide care and service of high quality to older people, knowledge about factors influencing their experience of satisfaction with the care is essential as mentioned in this paper, which is essential.
Abstract: In order to be able to provide care and service of high quality to older people, knowledge about factors influencing their experience of satisfaction with the care is essential.Purpose: To explore ...
4 citations
TL;DR: Diverse health, activity, and environmental factors may facilitate early identification of new LTSS recipients most in need of interventions to optimize self-reported PF and several health conditions may be targets for such interventions.
Abstract: Background and Objectives To identify determinants of self-reported physical functioning (PF) among older adults new to long-term services and supports (LTSS) Research Design and Method Using the International Classification of Function, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework, we conducted a secondary analysis of self-reported data on symptoms, basic/instrumental activities of daily living, quality of life, assistive devices, physical therapy needs, prior healthcare utilization, health status, and demographics from 470 older adults new to LTSS (Home/Community-Based n = 156; Assisted Living n = 156; Nursing Home n = 158) Multiple linear regression was used to identify associations between ICF constructs and self-reported PF (SF-12 Physical Composite Summary score [SF12PCS], lower scores indicate worse PF) Results LTSS recipients were mostly female (71%) and over age 80 (Mean: 809 years, SD: 87) LTSS recipients' mean SF12PCS score was 373 (SD 110), indicating overall low self-reported PF LTSS recipients living in their homes (b = -335, p = 003) or assisted living facilities (b = -293, p = 012) had significantly lower mean scores compared to recipients in nursing homes Higher SF12PCS scores were associated with fewer activities of daily living deficits (p < 001), and better quality of life (p < 001) Lower scores were associated with more symptoms (p < 001), poorer nutrition (p = 013), ambulation aid use (p < 001), and physical therapy (p < 026) Discussion and Implications Diverse health, activity, and environmental factors may facilitate early identification of new LTSS recipients most in need of interventions to optimize self-reported PF Several health conditions may be targets for such interventions Additional research is needed to evaluate and compare PF trajectories among older adults receiving LTSS in diverse settings
4 citations
References
More filters
TL;DR: A 36-item short-form survey designed for use in clinical practice and research, health policy evaluations, and general population surveys to survey health status in the Medical Outcomes Study is constructed.
Abstract: A 36-item short-form (SF-36) was constructed to survey health status in the Medical Outcomes Study. The SF-36 was designed for use in clinical practice and research, health policy evaluations, and general population surveys. The SF-36 includes one multi-item scale that assesses eight health concepts: 1) limitations in physical activities because of health problems; 2) limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems; 3) limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems; 4) bodily pain; 5) general mental health (psychological distress and well-being); 6) limitations in usual role activities because of emotional problems; 7) vitality (energy and fatigue); and 8) general health perceptions. The survey was constructed for self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older, and for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by telephone. The history of the development of the SF-36, the origin of specific items, and the logic underlying their selection are summarized. The content and features of the SF-36 are compared with the 20-item Medical Outcomes Study short-form.
33,857 citations
TL;DR: Twenty cross-sectional and longitudinal tests of empirical validity previously published for the 36-item short-form scales and summary measures were replicated for the 12-item Physical Component Summary and the12-item Mental Component Summary, including comparisons between patient groups known to differ or to change in terms of the presence and seriousness of physical and mental conditions.
Abstract: Regression methods were used to select and score 12 items from the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to reproduce the Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scales in the general US population (n=2,333). The resulting 12-item short-form (SF-12) achieved multiple R squares of 0.911 and 0.918 in predictions of the SF-36 Physical Component Summary and SF-36 Mental Component Summary scores, respectively. Scoring algorithms from the general population used to score 12-item versions of the two components (Physical Components Summary and Mental Component Summary) achieved R squares of 0.905 with the SF-36 Physical Component Summary and 0.938 with SF-36 Mental Component Summary when cross-validated in the Medical Outcomes Study. Test-retest (2-week)correlations of 0.89 and 0.76 were observed for the 12-item Physical Component Summary and the 12-item Mental Component Summary, respectively, in the general US population (n=232). Twenty cross-sectional and longitudinal tests of empirical validity previously published for the 36-item short-form scales and summary measures were replicated for the 12-item Physical Component Summary and the 12-item Mental Component Summary, including comparisons between patient groups known to differ or to change in terms of the presence and seriousness of physical and mental conditions, acute symptoms, age and aging, self-reported 1-year changes in health, and recovery for depression. In 14 validity tests involving physical criteria, relative validity estimates for the 12-item Physical Component Summary ranged from 0.43 to 0.93 (median=0.67) in comparison with the best 36-item short-form scale. Relative validity estimates for the 12-item Mental Component Summary in 6 tests involving mental criteria ranged from 0.60 to 107 (median=0.97) in relation to the best 36-item short-form scale. Average scores for the 2 summary measures, and those for most scales in the 8-scale profile based on the 12-item short-form, closely mirrored those for the 36-item short-form, although standard errors were nearly always larger for the 12-item short-form.
14,793 citations
2,392 citations
TL;DR: The 22-item Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale was subjected to a series of principal component analyses utilizing different item pools and rotating differing numbers of factors, suggesting three consistently reproduced factors.
Abstract: The 22-item Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale was subjected to a series of principal component analyses utilizing different item pools and rotating differing numbers of factors. Subjects were 1086 tenants of federally-assisted housing for the elderly and older people living in the community. Results were compared with analyses of the PGC Scale done by Morris and Sherwood. Consideration of factors defined by the analyses suggested three consistently reproduced factors: Agitation, Attitude Toward Own Aging, and Lonely Dissatisfaction, utilizing 17 of the original items. These results were compared with other multi-dimensional measures of morale: the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale, and morale scales reported by Pierce and Clark, and Schooler. In addition to the dimensions derived from the current study related domains of self-rated health, social accessibility, generalized attitude toward aging, and positive affect were suggested as worthy of further exploration as dimensions of morale.
1,374 citations
TL;DR: Empirical evidence is yielded supporting the feasibility of a non-English language reproduction of the SF-36 Health Survey in Sweden and tests of scaling assumptions including hypothesized item groupings were consistently favorable across subgroups, although lower rates were noted in the oldest age group.
1,344 citations