QUALITY OF LIFE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN THE ELDERLY AT THE SENIOR CENTER, THAILAND: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY.

Kanit  Ngowsiri; Araya  Tipwong; Kanya  Napapongsa; Therawat  Wongamart

Kanit Ngowsiri College of Nursing and Health, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand
Araya Tipwong College of Nursing and Health, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand
Kanya Napapongsa College of Nursing and Health, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Therawat Wongamart College of Nursing and Health, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Keywords: quality of life, the elderly,, senior center

Abstract

The cross-sectional study was to assess the characteristics and quality of life (QOL) of the older adults who joined the activity in the Senior Center, Thailand. The samples were 100 people (aged 60-80 years) who obtained by purposive sampling. QOL was assessed by using WHOQOL-BREF-THAI questionnaire. The characteristics and QOL were analyzed by using frequency, percentage, means and standard deviation. Pearson Chi-squared was used to examine the correlation between all factors and QOL.
The results showed that the mean age of the participant was 67.06 (+7.01) years, the majority were female (70%), married (56.0%), graduated with bachelor’s degree (63.0%), have money deposit (53.0%), and adequated exercise (57%). More than half of them perceived a moderate level in overall QOL, physical health, social relationship, and environment, but a good level in psychological health. Significant correlations were recorded between financial status and the level of QOL in the elderly. The future study should develop model and activities for improving QOL of the older adult in the Senior Center.