Abstract
The present study aimed to confirm latent classes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults and investigate the characteristics of participants in each class. It aimed to provide basic data to develop interventions for each quality-of-life class by analysing the predictors of each class. Secondary data from a community health survey in G province since 2019 found a total of 41,872 participants. Of them, 9027 were 65 years or older and residing in G Province in 2019, participated in this study. Mplus 8.5 was used to conduct a latent class analysis of five domains of HRQOL. Four latent classes in the HRQOL of older adults, namely, stable type, physical disability type, emotional disability type, and crisis type were found. Certain variables predicted these classes. Based on the findings of the present study, training on functional mobility and balance to prevent falls in older populations and individualised programmes to promote mental health in them should be provided. Moreover, policies should increase medical accessibility and provide social support for older people with low-incomes. Additionally, since physical, psychological, and social health in older adults are inter-connected, a comprehensive care plan is needed to improve their HRQOL.
Highlights
The South Korean society is aging rapidly
Restrictions in functional mobility and balance seen in them may lead to falls [8,9], which increases their dependence in daily life and causes social isolation, all of which decrease quality of life [10]
This study found four latent classes of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults, namely, stable type, physical disability type, emotional disability type, and crisis type
Summary
The South Korean society is aging rapidly. At present, people aged 65 years and older account for 15.7% of the total population, which meets the definition of an aged society.Korea is expected to become a super-aged society by 2025 [1]. With the continued increase of the older population, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older adults has become a pivotal issue. HRQOL, which is a subjective evaluation of one’s health [2], can be defined as the quality of life that is influenced by health or diseases [3] and plays an important role in healthy aging [4,5]. HRQOL is higher in older adults when they have fewer chronic diseases and are more physically active [6,7]. Hypertension and diabetes, have a negative influence on the quality of life in the older population and influence their physical, psychological, and social health [7]. Restrictions in functional mobility and balance seen in them may lead to falls [8,9], which increases their dependence in daily life and causes social isolation, all of which decrease quality of life [10]
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