Quality of Life in Older Adults Attending a University Family Practice Centre in Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) and identify factors influencing it in older adults attending a University Family Practice situated in a semi-urban area in Sri Lanka, a lower middle income country.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the QoL among older adults attending the Family Practice Centre, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross sectional study.

SETTING

Family Practice Centre, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

PARTICIPANTS

140 registered older adults >60years who attended the centre over 3 months in 2012.

RESULTS

The majority of participants (51.4%) were between 60-69years, females (65%), 67.9% were married, and (88.6%) lived with their families. QoL was satisfactory, with spiritual and functional aspects being the most satisfactory and physical QoL being the least satisfactory, however latter too had a mean score (>50). Better QoL was seen in males, with better education, married and living with spouse, and perceived adequacy of income. Poorer QoL was seen in participants living alone, presence of 3 or more health problems, being admitted to hospital or, and accidents and falls in the past one year.

CONCLUSIONS

QoL in this group of older adults was satisfactory with spiritual and functional aspects being the most satisfactory and the physical aspect being the least. Preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and accidents could help to improve QoL in older adults.