Development of the WHOQOL-Old Module

Abstract

This paper describes the development of an add-on module for the WHOQOL measures of quality of life (QoL) for use with older adults. The add-on module, known as the WHOQOL-OLD, was derived following standard WHOQOL methodology. In the pilot phase of the study, 22 centres from around the world carried out focus groups with older adults, with carers, and with professionals working with older adults in order to identify gaps in the coverage of the WHOQOL-100 that were relevant for QoL in older adults. Items generated from the focus groups were then tested in over 7400 respondents from the centres, with items being tested and reduced using both classical and modern psychometric methods. These analyses indicated a further gap in the coverage of the items, so further items were generated that specifically assessed intimate relations in older adults. A field trial study was then carried out in a further approximately 5500 respondents, again with the use of both classical and modern psychometric methods. The outcome of this second round of data collection and analysis is a 24-item 6-facet module which can be used in conjunction with the WHOQOL-BREF or the WHOQOL-100 for assessment of QoL in older adults.

Development and validation of the Portuguese version of the WHOQOL-OLD module

“…The coefficients are close to the ones described for the whole international sample (Power et al, 18 2005) and higher than the ones found in the WHOQOL-100 and WHOQOL-BREF in their validation processes (Fleck et al,12 1999; Fleck et al, 13 2000), corroborating the appropriateness of the module's consistency.…”

“…The aim of the project was to develop and test a generic QoL measurement tool capable of being used in cross-cultural investigations. Although the international development of the WHOQOL-OLD project is described in more details elsewhere (Power et al,18 2005), an overview of the Brazilian Center's participation is provided below.…”

Associations between self-perceived quality of life and socio-demographic, psychosocial, and health variables in a group of elderly

“…The sample was comprised using an internationally standardized method, requiring a minimum of 300 participants, stratified by age, gender, and self-rated health 1,21 . This was a convenience sample 22 , and elders with terminal illnesses and dementia were excluded.…”

Effects of an innovative group program of multisensory stimulation of older adults

“…-WHOQOL-OLD (Power, Quinn, & Schmidt, 2005;Vilar & Simões, 2009) to evaluate the QoL in older adults (Vilar, Sousa, & Simões, 2015). In original version, it consists of six facets: Sensory Functioning (evaluates the sensory functioning and impact of the loss of sensory abilities participation in activities and interaction), Autonomy (ability to live independently and make decisions), Past, Present and Future Activities (assesses satisfaction with achieved goals in life and projects to accomplish), Social Participation (assesses participation in everyday activities, particularly in the community), Death and Dying (rating concerns and fears about death and dying), and Intimacy (assesses the ability to have personal and intimate relationships), with a Likert scale of five points (1-5).…”