Conceptualizing quality of life for elderly people with stroke.
OBJECTIVE
Despite increased interest in quality of life (QOL) as an outcome measure and as a means of identifying client needs in health care, its conceptualisation and the identification of its constituents have been poorly researched for elderly people with stroke in Hong Kong.


METHODS
This article analysed the literature to identify components relevant to the QOL of Chinese elderly people with stroke living in the community in Hong Kong.


RESULTS
While common components of QOL for elderly people with and without stroke and regardless of cultural background were identified, a number were specific to an elderly Chinese stroke population.


CONCLUSIONS
Recommendations for future research have been made with reference to further exploring and validating these components for the target population. A clear understanding of these aspects is essential for the development of sensitive QOL measures to guide and evaluate service delivery to this population.
Lau
A
A
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon. rsalau@inet.polyu.edu.hk
McKenna
K
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology