Housing Security of Seniors in Poland – Living Conditions, Financial Burdens, and Housing Satisfaction

This study examined the possible effects that housing satisfaction may have upon overall quality of life of university faculty. Responses to a questionnaire assessing quality of life and an interview schedule assessing housing satisfaction were obtained from 60 faculty members at a large midwestern land-grant university. Multiple regression analysis indicated that total housing satisfaction is a significant predictor of overall quality of life. Introduction Studies by Andrews and Withey (1976) and Rodgers and Converse (1975) have suggested that overall quality of life is dependent on several domains or components of a person's life. Research conducted by Andrews & Withey (1974) identified 12 specific life components that affect or contribute to overall quality of life. They were: yourself, family life, money, amount of fun, house/apartment, activities with family, time to do things, spare time, national government, goods and services, health, and occupation. Rodgers and Converse (1975) incorporated both subjective and objective indicators when they examined measures of overall quality of life.

The aim of this present study is to examine whether overall subjective quality of life and specific domains of quality of life change among homeless adults after they become housed, and if so, what factors predict changes in satisfaction. The data analysed here were collected through face-to-face interviews with a sample of 485 homeless adults who were interviewed as often as bi-monthly over a 16-month period. Bivariate analyses examined initial differences between three groups: homeless people who did not exit from homelessness; those with an exit from homelessness to dependent housing; and those with an exit to independent housing. Bivariate analyses also examined differences in subjective quality of life before and after an exit from homelessness among the three groups. Multivariate analyses identified predictors of changes in quality of life before and after exit. This study has three main findings. First, homeless people who obtained independent housing had the largest positive and significant improvements in satisfaction with overall quality of life, and in satisfaction with housing, leisure and money. Second, becoming housed was not a predictor of changes in overall quality of life perceived by homeless people, nor in their satisfaction with leisure, clothing, food, and social life. Furthermore, a positive change in housing satisfaction was not associated with all types of exits from homelessness; only a move into independent housing predicted such a change, but a move into dependent housing did not. Finally, of all the covariates included as predictors at baseline, only two variables seemed to consistently predict changes in satisfaction; namely, self-assessed general health and self-assessed self-help skills. This study suggested that becoming independently housed may improve some aspects of quality of life for homeless people, but not others. The results suggest that homeless people prefer to be independently housed relative to remaining homeless or staying in a dependent housing situation, but that independent housing does not necessarily improve other aspects of their lives.

The prominent aim of most housing studies is to examine residential situations in order to understand housing demands and future consequences on the surrounding urban environment. Most research on housing satisfaction has been performed in socio-behavioral sciences and has looked at housing satisfaction as an essential explanatory input to study migration patterns, affordable housing and residential mobility. Nevertheless, in few studies, housing satisfaction has been assessed to understand residents’ subjective well being. This little emphasis on housing in terms of quality of life measurement highlights the gap in this research stream and the need for more detailed studies on this interdisciplinary field.This paper has aimed to enhance the understanding of the housing satisfaction concept and how this major life domain is affected by socio-demographic characteristics of individuals as well as the characteristics of one’s house. Moreover, the role of housing satisfaction on quality of life is investigated. Using the data that is collected among the residents of the city of Eindhoven in the Netherlands, this study applied path analysis method to capture the links between various variables and their impacts on overall housing satisfaction. The findings highlight the major impact of satisfaction with ownership, housing type and dwelling design on overall house satisfaction . Moreover, satisfaction with housing shows a significant and direct influence on the overall quality of life subjectively experienced by residents.

The poor quality of housing facilities and incomprehensive housing policy can lead to residents’ low rental satisfaction. This paper explores housing satisfaction among young renters, focusing on critical variables such as housing conditions, security, environment, and institutional support. The study population is focused on young residents living in Selangor and Johor. The study uses questionnaires as a research instrument, and the development of research instruments for this research is divided into two stages, namely the pilot study stage and the actual distribution stage of the questionnaire for 350 respondents. The findings found that young renters are generally satisfied with their housing conditions, housing environment, and institutional support, while housing security was insignificant in affecting satisfaction. The main implication of this study is the importance of analysing the factors that could determine the satisfaction towards rental housing from a multidimensional perspective to help plan housing policies and strategies to become more effective and conclusive for the younger generation’s well-being. This research also provides a better understanding of the demographic factors affecting house renting satisfaction. The results of this research can be used as a basis for formulating housing policies that consider relevant aspects such as housing and renter factors.

This study addresses the critical issue of housing satisfaction, focusing on Ibadan, Nigeria. The aim is to examine the residential housing satisfaction across different age groups and residential densities within Ibadan. Key objectives include identifying factors that influence housing satisfaction and understanding the effect of age on these factors. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, stratifying Ibadan into five regions, from which fifteen neighborhoods were randomly selected. A systematic random sampling of 1330 properties was administered but 865 properties were retrieved representing 65% of the population, utilizing a structured questionnaire rated on a five-point Likert scale to measure satisfaction across various housing attributes. The findings indicate that location, structural integrity, and design features significantly influence residents’ satisfaction. Accessibility to public transport and proximity to amenities were highly rated, while space and layout received lower satisfaction scores. Structural features such as windows, doors, and maintenance positively impacted satisfaction. The study also found that housing satisfaction varies significantly with age, with the 41-50 age group reporting the highest satisfaction, while those over 60 expressed the lowest satisfaction, often due to a desire to relocate closer to family or traditional communities. The study concludes that to enhance housing satisfaction, particularly among the elderly, there is a need to rehabilitate existing housing and improve infrastructure. Recommendations include targeted renovations for aging populations and strategic urban planning that integrates sustainable practices and access to essential services. Also, new residential designs should incorporate the future aged needs. These measures are crucial for fostering improved residential satisfaction and overall quality of life in urban settings.

Introduction: A number of studies published by the World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry) document the prevalence of injuries sustained by victims of the World Trade Center Disaster (WTCD) on 9/11. Injury occurrence during or in the immediate aftermath of this event has been shown to be a risk factor for long-term adverse physical and mental health status. More recent reports of ongoing physical health and mental health problems and overall poor quality of life among survivors led us to undertake this qualitative study to explore the long-term impact of having both disaster-related injuries and peri-event traumatic exposure on quality of life in disaster survivors. Methods: Semi-structured, in-depth individual telephone interviews were conducted with 33 Registry enrollees who reported being injured on 9/11/01. Topics included: extent and circumstance of the injury(ies), description of medical treatment for injury, current health and functional status, and lifestyle changes resulting from the WTCD. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and inductively open-coded for thematic analysis.Results: Six themes emerged with respect to long term recovery and quality of life: concurrent experience of injury with exposure to peri-event traumatic exposure (e.g., witnessing death or destruction, perceived life threat, etc.); sub-optimal quality and timeliness of short- and long-term medical care for the injury reported and mental health care; poor ongoing health status, functional limitations, and disabilities; adverse impact on lifestyle; lack of social support; and adverse economic impact. Many study participants, especially those reporting more serious injuries, also reported self-imposed social isolation, an inability to participate in or take enjoyment from previously enjoyable leisure and social activities and greatly diminished overall quality of life.Discussion: This study provided unique insight into the long-term impact of disasters on survivors. Long after physical injuries have healed, some injured disaster survivors report having serious health and mental health problems, economic problems due to loss of livelihood, limited sources of social support, and profound social isolation. Strategies for addressing the long-term health problems of disaster survivors are needed in order to support recovery.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) significantly impacts patients’ physical, psychological, and social well-being, making quality of life (QoL) a key outcome in long-term hemodialysis care. This study aimed to assess the QoL and its predictors among hemodialysis patients in a government hospital. Using a descriptive-predictive design, data were gathered from 70 patients selected through total enumeration. Validated questionnaires measured socio-demographic characteristics and QoL across four dimensions: sense of security and safety; freedom, mobility, and autonomy; personal health and medical intervention; and stress and coping. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used for analysis. Results showed that respondents generally experienced fair QoL, with lower scores in health-related and coping domains. Age, highest educational attainment, and occupation significantly predicted QoL indicating that younger, more educated, and employed patients reported better well-being. Other variables such as gender, civil status, religion, income, comorbidities, and dialysis-related factors were not statistically significant. The regression model yielded R² = 0.407, indicating a moderate effect, with predictors explaining about 41% of the variance in QoL. These findings affirm Ferrans’ and Powers’ Quality of Life Model, which highlights the interaction between life circumstances and personal satisfaction. The study emphasizes the need for holistic, patient-centered interventions that go beyond clinical treatment and address educational, economic, and psychosocial support to improve overall quality of life among hemodialysis patients.

e24126 Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is unique among hematologic malignancies as an incurable disease. Patients are affected long-term by the disease symptoms as well as psychological, financial burden, and social impact, which may affect overall quality of life (QOL). The current literature related to QOL in MM is largely limited to a single clinical stage, impact concurrent with a specific treatment regimen, or focused on a single QOL factor. Changes in impact on QOL based on longitudinal follow up during the disease course have not been readily assessed. Here, we evaluated patient-reported QOL measures utilized by one time validated questionnaires. Methods: The study enrolled 100 participants in a sequential manner from the Myeloma Clinic at UMGCC with a diagnosis of plasma cell disorders at various stages: MGUS, smoldering myeloma, or multiple myeloma: newly diagnosed, maintenance, relapsed. Participants provided verbal responses to a series of questions listed in Table. Questions aligned with three main domains: physical symptoms and function, mental health, and social systems. The following is an interim analysis of the first 50 patients. Results: This sample of myeloma patients (N=50; males n=26), felt their QOL was impacted by myeloma symptoms (70%). More African American participants reported impact from financial burden (6, 50%) in comparison to Caucasian and other races (10, 26%). Interestingly, males reported less impact on sexual intimacy (3, 15%) than females (6, 43%). Females also reported more impact from financial burden (10, 42%) compared to males (6, 23%). Conclusions: Changes to impact on QOL as a function of clinical MM stage, race, and/or gender will be fully evaluated. Planned analyses include correlation statistics by age and social demographics to determine patterns in patient-reported outcomes. Finally, second interviews with current participants will be conducted to determine changes to impact across the same QOL variables over time.[Table: see text]

Few studies have examined whether orthopaedic surgery, including hand surgery, is associated with patients' financial health. We sought to understand the level of financial burden and worry for patients undergoing two common hand procedures-carpal tunnel release and open reduction and internal fixation for a distal radius fracture-as well as to determine factors associated with a higher financial burden and worry. In patients undergoing operative treatment for isolated carpal tunnel syndrome with carpal tunnel release or open reduction and internal fixation for a distal radius fracture, we used validated financial burden and worry questionnaires to ask: (1) What percentage of patients report some level of financial burden, and what is the median financial burden composite score? (2) What percentage of patients report some level of financial worry, and what percentage of patients report a high level of financial worry? (3) When accounting for other assessed factors, what patient- and condition-related factors are associated with financial burden? (4) When accounting for other assessed factors, what patient- and condition-related factors are associated with high financial worry? In this cross-sectional survey study, a hand and upper extremity database at a single tertiary academic medical center was reviewed for patients 18 years or older undergoing operative treatment in our hand and upper extremity division for an isolated distal radius fracture between October 2017 and October 2019. We then selected all patients undergoing carpal tunnel release during the first half of that time period (given the frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome, a 1-year period was sufficient to ensure comparable patient groups). A total of 645 patients were identified (carpal tunnel release: 60% [384 of 645 patients]; open reduction and internal fixation for a distal radius fracture: 40% [261 of 645 patients). Of the patients who underwent carpal tunnel release, 6% (24 of 384) were excluded because of associated injuries. Of the patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation for a distal radius fracture, 4% (10 of 261) were excluded because of associated injuries. All remaining 611 patients were approached. Thirty-six percent (223 of 611; carpal tunnel release: 36% [128 of 360]; open reduction and internal fixation: 38% [95 of 251]) of patients ultimately completed two validated financial health surveys: the financial burden composite and financial worry questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were calculated to report the percentage of patients who had some level of financial burden and worry. Further, the median financial burden composite score was determined. The percentage of patients who reported a high level of financial worry was calculated. A forward stepwise regression model approach was used; thus, variables with p values < 0.10 in bivariate analysis were included in the final regression analyses to determine which patient- and condition-related factors were associated with financial burden or high financial worry, accounting for all other measured variables. The median financial burden composite score was 0 (range 0 [lowest possible financial burden] to 6 [highest possible financial burden]), and 13% of patients (30 of 223) reported a high level of financial worry. After controlling for potentially confounding variables like age, insurance type, and self-reported race, the number of dependents (regression coefficient 0.15 [95% CI 0.008 to 0.29]; p = 0.04) was associated with higher levels of financial burden, while retired employment status (regression coefficient -1.24 [95% CI -1.88 to -0.60]; p < 0.001) was associated with lower levels of financial burden. In addition, the number of dependents (odds ratio 1.77 [95% CI 1.21 to 2.61]; p = 0.004) and unable to work or disabled employment status (OR 3.76 [95% CI 1.25 to 11.28]; p = 0.02) were associated with increased odds of high financial worry. A notable number of patients undergoing operative hand care for two common conditions reported some degree of financial burden and worry. Patients at higher risk of financial burden and/or worry may benefit from increased resources during their hand care journey, including social work consultation and financial counselors. This is especially true given the association between number of dependents and work status on financial burden and high financial worry. However, future research is needed to determine the return on investment of this resource utilization on patient clinical outcomes, overall quality of life, and well-being. Level III, therapeutic study.

BackgroundAn improvement initiative sought to improve care for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients; many felt insecure about how to cope with AF.ObjectiveTo reveal AF patients' and professionals' experiences of pilot‐testing a Learning Café group education programme, aimed at increasing the patients' sense of security in everyday life.DesignUsing an organizational case study design, we combined quantitative data (patients' sense of security) and qualitative data (project documentation; focus group interviews with five patients and five professionals) analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis.SettingAF patients and a multiprofessional team at a cardiac care unit in a Swedish district hospital.Improvement activitiesTwo registered nurses invited AF patients and partners to four 2.5‐hour Learning Café sessions. In the first session, they solicited participants' questions about life with AF. A physician, a registered nurse and a physiotherapist were invited to address these questions in the remaining sessions.ResultsAF patients reported gaining a greater sense of security in everyday life and anticipating a future shift from emergency care to planned care. Professionals reported enhanced professional development, learning more about person‐centredness and gaining greater control of their own work situation. The organization gained knowledge about patient and family involvement.ConclusionsThe Learning Café pilot test—exemplifying movement towards co‐production through patient‐professional collaboration—generated positive outcomes for patients (sense of security), professionals (work satisfaction; learning) and the organization (better care) in line with contemporary models for quality improvement and with Self‐Determination Theory. This approach merits further testing and evaluation in other contexts.

The objective of the study was to examine the association between overall and health-related quality of life and smoking in men and women of discrete smoking groups in Finland. The design was a Health 2000 Survey, conducted in Finland 2000--2001. The setting and participants were a two-stage, stratified, nationally representative cluster sample that comprised 8,028 persons aged 30 or over living in mainland Finland. Health-related quality of life was measured by the 15D questionnaire; and overall quality of life was assessed by a single question measure capturing the respondent's own perception and estimation of his/her quality of life. The present study showed that daily smokers had both lower health-related and overall quality of life than never-smokers among the Finnish adult population. Health-related quality of life profiles showed that daily smokers did worse than never-smokers in a considerable number of the health dimensions. The effects of smoking were observed not only through health: the daily smokers registered significantly lower ratings of overall quality of life compared with never-smokers, too. Both the health-related and overall quality of life of ex-smokers approached those of never-smokers. The results of the present study suggest that improved health is not the only benefit of smoking cessation; better quality of life and more fulfilling everyday living can also be expected. As the major health consequences of smoking usually manifest themselves only after several years of smoking, both health-related and overall quality of life measurements could be used as an intervention tool for motivating people to quit.

Promoting patients' sense of security is among the goals of nursing care within heart failure management. The aim of this study was to examine the role of sense of security in the relationship between self-care behavior and health status of patients with heart failure. Patients recruited from a heart failure clinic in Iceland answered a questionnaire about their self-care (European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale; possible scores, 0-100), their sense of security (Sense of Security in Care-Patients' Evaluation; possible scores, 1-100), and their health status (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, including symptoms, physical limitations, quality of life, social limitations, and self-efficacy domains; possible scores, 0-100). Clinical data were extracted from electronic patient records. Regression analysis was used to examine the mediation effect of sense of security on the relationship between self-care and health status. The patients (N = 220; mean [SD] age, 73.6 [13.8] years; 70% male, 49% in New York Heart Association functional class III) reported a high sense of security (mean [SD], 83.2 [15.2]) and inadequate self-care (mean [SD], 57.2 [22.0]); their health status, as assessed by all domains of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, was fair to good except for self-efficacy, which was good to excellent. Self-care was associated with health status (P < .01) and sense of security (P < .001). Regression analysis confirmed the mediating effect of sense of security on the relationship between self-care and health status. Sense of security in patients with heart failure is an important part of daily life and contributes to better health status. Heart failure management should not only support self-care but also aim to strengthen sense of security through positive care interaction (provider-patient communication) and the promotion of patients' self-efficacy, and by facilitating access to care.

Quality of life in prostate cancer patients.

Scholars from diverse disciplines have established how objective and subjective housing attributes influence occupants’ housing satisfaction. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of age grouping on overall housing satisfaction with respect to private housing development in Abuja, Nigeria. Samples of 112 structured questionnaires were systematically administered to the occupants of Prince and Princes Housing Estate. Sixty-six were subsequently retrieved for analysis representing 74% response rate. Descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance was conducted, and the result indicates that there was a statistically significant difference for total housing satisfaction between age groups. A Tukey’s post hoc test revealed that housing satisfaction was statistically significantly higher in the 61 and above age group in the sample. The result implies that there is a need to incorporate specific demographic changes such as in age groups in residential housing development and policy plan especially in developing countries. The study also contributes to further our understanding on the relationship between resident’s socio-demographic characteristics and housing satisfaction. This paper represents first housing satisfaction studies that examines age factor to determine level of variation in housing satisfaction between various age groups in private housing development in the Nigerian context.

This work relies on desk research as well as authors’ own studies and it discusses selected aspects concerning the quality of life in Poland against the results presented by global organizations on the quality of life. According to our study, access to employment, social engagement and cultural offerings are the most problematic issues for people living in rural areas and among several factors studied; the highest rated ones are educational system and a sense of security. Comparison with the results of global research indicates that overall quality of life in Poland is still at a lower level than the quality of life in advanced countries. For this reason, as for the EU, for next financial perspective (2014-2020), it is very important to support activities in Poland aimed directly or indirectly at improving the quality of life of country’s citizens.