Influence of Active and Healthy Ageing on Quality of Life Changes: Insights from the Comparison of Three European Countries

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the determinants of quality of life (QoL) in older people in three European countries (Portugal, Spain and Sweden). A sample of 7589 participants in waves 4 (2011) and 6 (2015) of the Survey on Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project, aged 50 and over and living in Portugal, Spain and Sweden, was included. The CASP-12 scale was used to measure QoL. A principal component analysis was performed to group preselected variables related to active and healthy ageing into the dimensions of health, social participation, and lifelong learning. A linear regression model was built using the change in CASP-12 scores over the 4-year follow-up as the dependent variable, including the interactions between country and each independent variable in the model. After four years, the average QoL increased in Portugal (difference = 0.8, p < 0.001), decreased in Spain (−0.8, p < 0.001), and remained constant in Sweden (0.1, p = 0.408). A significant country-participation component interaction (p = 0.039) was found. In Spain, a higher participation (β = 0.031, p = 0.002) was related to a higher QoL improvement at 4 years, but not in Sweden or Portugal. Physical health and emotional components (β = 0.099, p < 0.001), functional ability (β = 0.044, p = 0.023), and cognitive and sensory ability (β = 0.021, p = 0.026) were associated with QoL changes over time in all countries. The country-specific associations between health, social participation and QoL should be taken into account when developing public health policies to promote QoL among European older people.

Active ageing profiles among older adults in Spain: A Multivariate analysis based on SHARE study

“…Each pillar was built with multiple indicators from the SHARE dataset [ 63 , 65 , 66 ]. Other authors, working with the same survey [ 24 , 74 , 83 ] or with other data [ 18 ], arrived at a similar selection of health domain-related indicators (diseases, dependency and physical or cognitive functioning) [ 84 ]. This paper has expanded the health-related indicators by adding others linked to the use of medical services [ 85 ], nutrition [ 86 ] and alcohol consumption [ 87 ]; all of them have been related to functionality, morbidity and/or mortality [ 85 – 87 ].…”

“…The instrument facilitates comparability regardless of the context in which the information is collected [ 72 ]. Its discriminatory and explanatory capacity [ 73 ] shows that it is an effective tool for measuring quality of life in old age beyond the physical and mental capacities of older adults [ 74 ].…”

eHealth Platforms to Promote Autonomous Life and Active Aging: A Scoping Review

“…Active aging is applicable both at the individual- and population level, aiming at allowing people to accomplish their full potential in physical, social, and mental well-being throughout life [ 5 ], and enabling their participation in society according to their needs, desires, and capabilities [ 6 ]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) [ 7 ], the concept of active aging must be universal to promote the implementation of environments that allow individuals to overcome the challenges associated with this stage of life.…”

Active Ageing Profiles among Older Adults in Spain: A Multivariate Analysis Based on SHARE study

“…Each pillar was built with multiple indicators from the SHARE dataset (63, 65, 66). Other authors, working with the same survey (24,74,83) or with other data (18), arrived at a similar selection of health domain-related indicators (diseases, dependency and physical or cognitive functioning) (84). This paper has expanded the health-related indicators by adding others linked to the use of medical services (85), nutrition (86) and alcohol consumption (87); all of them have been related to functionality, morbidity and/or mortality (85-87).…”