Quality of life and physical activities of daily living among elderly patients at HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center

Abstract

A total of 245 elderly patients recruited from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center were 147 women (60%), and 98 men (40%). The mean age was 68 years (range = 63-85, SD = 8.85), most of elderly’s religions were Buddhism (95%). The data collection was using a structured questionnaire including demographic data, activities of daily living questionnaire, and elderly quality of life index. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient were analyzed. The result revealed that overall quality of life in the elderly was in the moderate level (63%) including physical (76.55%), psychological (52.3%), social relationship (59.8%), environmental domains (59.8%) and good level of activities daily living (86.12%). About 70 percents of the elderly have at least one chronic illness. The most common chronic illnesses including hypertension (61.3%), diabetes mellitus (32.2%), heart disease (1.2%), and chronic kidney disease (1.1%). The most common health problems were visual problems (60%), dry and itchy skin (38.5%), and bladder control problems (25%). Quality of life has positively relationship with activities of daily living (r = 0.77, p < .01) and the demographic factors including age, gender, marital status, and educational level. Income and economic status had a significant correlation with the quality of life in elderly. These findings suggested that the health care providers and caregiver of the elderly should participate in chronic illness prevention and planning health promotion activities which are appropriate with cultural context in order to improve activities of daily living and quality of life.