Interests among Older People in Relation to Gender, Function and Health-Related Quality of Life

Abstract

Introduction: Older people should have opportunities to be active participants in society because aspects such as lifestyle, physical and social environment and physical and mental status have influence on active ageing. The purpose of this study was to explore the interests pursued by 85-year-old people living in ordinary housing in relation to gender, cognition, depression and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Method: A sample of 240 participants completed a postal questionnaire, including the EuroQoL HRQoL measurement. Additional instruments used during a subsequent home visit were the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Mini Mental State Examination and Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: Women experienced poorer health than men, lived alone to a greater extent and used more mobility devices. Compared with men, women had a larger number of interests within household management, but there were no gender differences in the leisure area. A lower number of interests in active recreation was associated with lower cognitive function, poorer HRQoL and a higher risk of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The main finding is that engaging in active recreation interests is associated with better cognition, less depression and higher HRQoL in these 85-year-old people and is, therefore, a concern of occupational therapists.