Health Related Quality of Life and Care Dependency among Elderly Hospital Patients: An International Comparison

Abstract

Many countries in Europe and the world have to cope with an aging population. Although health policy in many countries aims at increasing disability-free life expectancy, elderly patients represent a significant proportion of all patients admitted to different hospital departments. The aim of the research was to investigate the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the care dependency status among elderly hospital patients. In 2012, a descriptive survey was administered to a convenience sample of 325 elderly hospital patients (> 60 years) from The Netherlands (N = 125), from Poland (N = 100), and from Turkey (N = 100). We employed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) Measurement System and the Care Dependency Scale. FACIT is a collection of HRQOL questionnaires that assess multidimensional health status in people with various chronic illnesses. From demographic variables, gender (female) (r = −0.13, p < 0.05), age and informal care given by family members (r = −0.27 to 0.27, p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with the care dependency status for the whole samples. All HRQOL variables, hearing aid and duration of illness correlated with care dependency status (r = −0.20 to 0.50, p < 0.01). Moreover, the FACIT sum score (Poland and Turkey) and functional wellbeing (The Netherlands) are significantly associated with the decrease in care dependency status. Thus, the FACIT variables are the most powerful indicators for care dependency. The study provides healthcare professionals insight into improvement of quality of care in all three countries.

Prevalence of mobility disabilities in nursing home residents and the association with age, BMI, fall risk and social participation

“…[37] The quality of the CDS is similar to that of the Barthel Index, an appropriate instrument for assessing changes in care recipients over time. [38] Therefore, it is now used internationally [39] and has been adapted accordingly. [40][41][42] Since there is no clear definition of the social participation of residents, [43] it was analogous to Gilmour's [44] and described as daily physical activities, activities in contact with family or friendships, and recreational activities involving other people.…”

Effectiveness of educational program using printed educational material on care burden distress among staff of residential aged care facilities without medical specialists and/or registered nurses: Cluster quasi‐randomization study

“…The CDS is a tool for assessing the care dependency status of institutionalized patients, 16 and the Japanese version was developed by Suzuki. 17 The instrument comprises 15 care dependency items, each of which has an item description, and five care dependency criteria.…”

Aging and wellbeing: investigating elderly preferences and values

“…This can certainly diminish one's autonomy and the ability to be in control of one's life. 34 Finally, all the subgroups rated anxiety and as the aspect which was least burdensome. The dependent group rated attachment as the functioning with which they had the least trouble achieving, while the semi-dependent and independent groups rated control as functioning with which they had the least trouble achieving.…”

“…33 All these factors taken together might impact on the ability of the dependent group to be in control of their lives and to be self-sufficient. 34 The semi-dependent and independent groups are possibly concerned about the status of the health and finances since both groups reported that security, which includes monetary concerns and health, are affected considerably. Furthermore, literature suggests that impairment in leisure activities is related to "lower levels of symptom management and less active coping behaviour".…”

“…33 Finding a solution for this problem is important, since it is clear that the elderly population will increase substantially over the next three decades, thus indicating high health care related costs for the ailing elderly population. 34,35 Possible cost-effective interventions can be the incorporation a physical activity intervention as a primary prevention strategy which may conserve: mobility and muscle strength by curtailing motor unit loss/improving muscle activation strategies or preserving muscle mass; vascular function might be preserved by conserving nitric oxide bioavailability; diastolic heart function might be maintained by preventing age-related cardiac fibrosis 20 .…”