Life satisfaction in older people

Abstract

Objective: Factors influencing life satisfaction were studied in a cohort study.Methods: Life satisfaction was measured using the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) morale scale. Two thousand one hundred and fifty‐one older people, approximately 99% of all older people (2165 subjects) in a rural town, Tashiro, Akita prefecture responded to the questionnaire and, after eliminating 455 for incomplete answers, 1710 subjects (79% of all older people) were entered into the present study. Approximately 10% were self‐care dependent older people.Results: Female self‐care independent older people showed lower morale scores than men. Morale scores in self‐care independent older people decreased with age in both women and men. Morale scores of self‐care independent men were higher when they were healthy, had an occupation and took part in social activities in the community; morale scores of self‐care independent women were higher when they were healthy and had hobbies. Family composition, self‐care dependency, income and habits for health promotion were also factors of morale scores, while education was not.Conclusions: Healthy older persons with some gender specific lifestyles had the higher morale scores. With advanced age, lifestyles do not determine the morale scores.