A Comparative Study regarding the Quality of Life of Senior Citizen Living in Old Age Home and Own Home in a Pokhara Metropolitan City

Abstract

Introduction: The quality of life (QOL) of elderly people has become more relevant with the demographic shifting towards the ageing population. Quality of life is a key concept in environmental, social, medical and psychological sciences as well as in public policy and the minds of the population at large nevertheless there is no consensus regarding the definition of quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the quality of life living in old aged home and own home.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among the elderly population 60 years and above. The total sample size of 228 participants was further divided into old aged home vs own home inhibiting; 114 in each category. A face to faceinterview was carried among the participants to assess their quality of life. Quality of life was assessed by using the Nepali version of WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires. The association between quality of life and the explanatory variables were assessed using the chi-square test and stepwise logistic regression.
 Results: Amongst the 228 participants; the mean score of QOL between elderly people living in their own home (57.86±8.54) was better than the elderly people living in the old aged home (44.62±9.88). The overall quality of life of elderly people living in their own home was 5.64 times better than the elderly people living in the old aged home (AOR: 5.64, 95%CI: 2.72-11.68).
 Conclusion: QOL score among senior citizen living in their own home is better compared to those living in old age home. The physical, psychological, social and environmental health domains of QOL were better in the people living with family than living in old age home. The social relation domain remains high among elderly living in their own home.